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Fri May 07, 2010 2:09 am

I have a seat belt that will pull out about one 6 inches before catches itself, as though it "thinks" it is being stressed to the point where it needs to lock. This is one of the rare-ish rear seat 3 point shoulder belts that came on later models so finding a replacement isn't a breeze. Thanks for any advice.

-Rob

Fri May 07, 2010 4:54 am

I don't have any of those "rare-ish" type belts, but from experience with others:

is it possible that the retractor unit has become twisted from vertical?

this would force the little weight inside to cause the ratchet to latch up.

Fri May 07, 2010 5:27 am

My driver side belt only retracts with help (taking wieght off belt while it sucks in)

anybody have luck rebuilding one of these?

Is it like a pull starter with a clock spring in it?

Thanks

Fri May 07, 2010 5:37 am

I took one apart and oiled it up, put it back together and it worked fine...but that was on a rabbit.

Fri May 07, 2010 7:00 am

Robw_z wrote: I have a seat belt that will pull out about one 6 inches before catches itself, as though it "thinks" it is being stressed to the point where it needs to lock. This is one of the rare-ish rear seat 3 point shoulder belts that came on later models so finding a replacement isn't a breeze. Thanks for any advice.

-Rob
Is it mounted in the van?

If not.. place the seat belt at the exact angle it would be if bolted in the van.
These release mechanisms are extroadinarily senstive to angle.

If that does not work, take the cover off.. You will need a 3point star bit.
Sometimes the belt winds loosely and binds on the interior.

One of mine did both.. once I freed up the belt inside (too much belt was allowed to wind up inside on the spool).. I was able to retract it when the bracket was at *JUST* the right angle. Has worked OK since.. 4 months.