Dead Seatbelt

[Mark2010 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mark2010]

Another problem I have recently is that my drivers side seatbelt has locked up and is probably US. I thought I could take it apart and fix the jammed part but then read the sticker on the side that said it contains an explosive device and do not tamper. So on ring Toyota they quoted me $510 for a new seat belt (YIKES). So, can the be reconditioned or is there a cheaper alternative on the market I don't know about??? Are they hard to remove and maybe replace with a secondhand unit from the wreckers?
Thx Mark

[StormyKnight Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close StormyKnight]

Re: Dead Seatbelt

Is it not retracting at all?

Mines is slow to retract & the last foot or so won't go in by itself....I had heard previously of something you can put on the belt to lubricate the mechanism, but it was a long time ago & well before I had my Prado.

It will be interesting if anyone has a solution to this.

Cheers

[Mark Smith Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark Smith]

Re: Dead Seatbelt

I'm pretty sure wreckers are not allowed to sell used seat belt components.

[ADVHodgo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ADVHodgo]

Re: Dead Seatbelt

The spring inside gets tired. I pulled mine apart and wound it up tighter. Cleaned the belt with soapy water. The belt gets dirt and grime on it and won't slide through the pivot properly.

It was pretty fiddly dismantling it. But hey I was quoted more than 510 dollars for a new one. So thats why i fixed it myself.

[StormyKnight Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close StormyKnight]

Re: Dead Seatbelt

Some Prado's will have pretensioners as part of their safety package. These are explosive so I wouldn't advise dismantling one of those...

You may have pretentioners even if you don't have airbags too......

Cheers

[FlyingBushPig Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyingBushPig]

Re: Dead Seatbelt

Another area of my work makes the aftermarket seatbelts for Klippan. Give them a go.
I work in the crash test centre so don't have anything to do with them. I walk through the factory to buy my lunch and they seem nice people 8)

http://www.klippan.com.au/wps/wcm/co...me/Klippan_SA/

[HeathAu Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close HeathAu]

Sometimes the seatbelts get dirt, oil and other things on the actual belt. these things make the belt stiff/hard and less flexible. As a result, the standard spring isn't enough to make it retract all the way. The solution is to soak the seatbelt in fabric softener and give it a good clean. When it is softer (and has dried), the seatbelt will often retract properly.

[MalcomM Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close MalcomM]

The plastic spool that the webbing winds onto frequently splits after 10-15 years which jams the works up nicely.
Belts are an unserviceable item.
Stupid trying to lube etc as you won't know if you really fixed it or not until you fly through the windscreen.

I've bought replacements from wreckers, just inspect them very carefully first. Mine was from a jap import and the Oz replacement was some $600 so mint condition item from the wrecker at $60 was a good deal and acceptable risk.

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

Had to replace the drivers side for roadworthy when I sold mine.
Rang wreckers EVERYWHERE in Vic and some big ones interstate, the only ones we found were also buggered.
In the end had to order one - could only get them from Toyota Japan, over $500 and a 6 week wait.

Went down the road of trying to find aftermarket replacements (available if you DON'T have airbags) and reconditioning to no avail - pretty hard to find someone to do this stuff because of all the regulations involved