Seatbelt slow to retract - replacement?

[2002tii]

Tried searching but didn't come up with anything...

My driver's seatbelt is a bit slow to retract. Is there any fix other than dropping somewhere around $175-200 on a new belt? I found part # 73220-35491-B1 for my 4Runner, a 2002 with the gray interior. I don't consider a used belt to be an option, btw - the belt is too important for that.

Hoping someone chimes in and says something like "yeah, just take it out and clean it!"

 

[SIKHILUXSURF]

mine is doing the same. im probably going to just bite the bullet and order a new one. concidering these cars are about 10 years old.

 

[Chandlerdoom]

All of mine do it, I may try to clean it when I do my headliner

 

[zgensler31]

I've heard that steam cleaning the belt itself can help, lessens the weight and softens it up, makes it a little more flexible. And yes, that's what she said...

 

[2002tii]

I've heard that steam cleaning the belt itself can help, lessens the weight and softens it up, makes it a little more flexible. And yes, that's what she said...

That's interesting. Never thought about that. I actually have a steam cleaner. I'll give it a try and report back if it's successful.

 

[nissanh]

There is a spring on one side of the mechanism. You can remove the side cap and slowly remove the spring (don't get it lose) and wind it 2-3 round and put it back. Works for me and seat belt works fine too!

 

[2002tii]

There is a spring on one side of the mechanism. You can remove the side cap and slowly remove the spring (don't get it lose) and wind it 2-3 round and put it back. Works for me and seat belt works fine too!

Oh really? I'll give that a try. How hard is it to access the seatbelt? Does the B-pillar trim come off fairly easily, and can you reach everything with the driver's seat in place?

 

[cfranck1]

You can try to clean them.
It's just a build up of dirt on the plastic anchor on the B pillar.

Toyota had a TSB on this problem.
It involved teflon tape installation.

When I worked at Ford as a tech, I remember doing some of these to Rangers.

Check the PDF file below.

 

[ggreyrunner]

I had the same problem with my T100 several years ago. There is a nice write up on 4x4wire. I know that it helped my seatbelt for a couple of years.

Minute Mod- Fixing Seatbelt Retractors

 

[TheeMikeB]

It's just part of owning a Toyota isn't it? Every Toyota I've owned does this. Kinda like 70-80s model GM headliners falling off.

 

[2002tii]

This is awesome, thanks guys! I don't know if the Toyota seatbelts are any more or less problematic than others, but I do know that this frustrates me every time I get out. It isn't so bad that it's dangling out the door, but it is definitely slow to work its way back up.

 

[Motohead]

I had the same problem with my T100 several years ago. There is a nice write up on 4x4wire. I know that it helped my seatbelt for a couple of years.

Minute Mod- Fixing Seatbelt Retractors

Awesome, definitely want to try this when I get home. Thanks!

 

[blizz86]

A few of mine were pretty slow to retract and felt gummy (they were pretty dirty)

I took a standard interior cleaner and sprayed the belts down (fully extended) and took a terry cloth soaked in HOT HOT HOT water and vigerously scrubbed the belts. Then took a dry cloth to soak all the water out, and repeated about 2-3 times depending on how dirty they were. They retract MUCH better now.

 

[2002tii]

I pulled out the seatbelt - look at the rust on the anchor. I wonder why it's so bad? The carpets are clean and the truck spent very little of its life where it snows (first few years).

What do you think - clean it up and POR-15 it or replace it entirely?

 

[blizz86]

It doesnt look so bad, sand/grind off the rust and see how it is. I think you should be fine with cleaning it and putting it back.

 

[netman1969]

Awesome, definitely want to try this when I get home. Thanks!

I'm starting to wonder if there is anything I cant find in this forum! Every problem I have, I find answers here. Thanks all.

 

[T100toyota13]

I extended my seat belts as far as they'd go then lock them n place with a vise grip. Next i soaked them in a home depot bucket of hot water and soap. I then agitated the belt in the soapy water like an 1800s prairie wife doing laundry.
Dramatically improved retract after getting all my neck-sweat-gravy out of the belt.

 

[Donny Voodoo]

That's exactly what I did [MENTION=172884]T100toyota13[/MENTION]. Even dressed the part.

Worked a treat - I'm properly chuffed.

 

[T100toyota13]

It's amazing what a little soapy water does for it. :amen: