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Seat belt fix/replacement?


Kim

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Looking for ideas about my wonky seat belts. I'll have to assume a belt replacement is needed, because a "fix" I've read about before didn't do anything to help, so here goes:

My seat belts don't want to retract themselves back up and in, and are always just laying there getting shut in the door. I can help them go back in manually when I exit the truck but that's not how they're supposed to work. Also, while driving the belts will lock nearly every time I need to lean forward to reach the heater controls. I have to make 3-4 attempts to lean forward to do anything like that before I'm allowed to do so. This is a 2001 Ranger with 145k miles, so I suppose replacing the seat belt assembly is the best bet but ideas are welcome. Are these still available from somewhere? Thanks!
 


mikkelstuff

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I used Safety Restore (https://www.safetyrestore.com/) to refurbish the front seatbelts and retractors in my 2002 Ranger. I was very pleased with the results.

To do this, I actually bought a spare set of front seatbelts from a junker and had them rebuilt so I could still drive the truck while waiting for fresh seatbelts - though Safety Restore is very fast with this.

I still have the original front seatbelts (left and right) and retractors from my 2002 if you need a spare set. They are yours for the shipping. Just send me a PM.
 
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97Ranger3.0

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I came across this video the other day and I've been wanting to try it. I have the same problem with the seat belts that don't retract on their own, although mine don't lock up easily like yours do. Anyway, this seems like it's worth a try to me, it's not expensive or difficult so if it doesn't work out in the end it doesn't seem like much of a waste.

 

Kim

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Thanks! The "clean the belts" idea was the "fix" I previously tried that didn't work for me. However, that was on my previous Ranger and also a Thunderbird....couldn't hurt to try again on my current Ranger I suppose.
Still.....that wouldn't help the over-zealous lockup. Thanks for the offer, Mikklestuff. Let me check this out a bit before I get in touch with you. :cool:
 

gaz

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Kim,

I have been lucky. I've had 2 sets lock up on me so far. I have been able to get replacements from the wrecking yard but I have also repaired a set, though it was a SUPERpain.
 

fixizin

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A properly suspensioned Ranger can be safely airborne for up to 4 seconds at a time! =:O
I'm the original owner, and my '99 has had lame retraction--only the driver's side--pretty much since new. There was a recall, but I failed to heed that one (too busy with the Infamous Exploding Firestone recall, and the Wonky Random Windshield Wiper recall)... I've just acquired the now-subconscious habit of snugging it by hand at every stop light.

OTOH, being a fundamental SAFETY issue, is FoMoCo obligated to fix it, this late in the game??? :unsure:

Also, I've avoided crashing for 22 years, which has worked well, so I'm going to stay on that plan, regardless. 💪
 

sgtsandman

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I don’t think recalls have an expiration date. I wouldn’t hurt to give the dealer a call and verify.
 

19Walt93

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I don’t think recalls have an expiration date. I wouldn’t hurt to give the dealer a call and verify.
It's correct that safety and emissions recalls don't expire.
 

Roert42

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I looked into this with my mustang, it seems to be a common issue with fords of this era, and it seemed to be a issue with the springs loosing tension over time. I found suggestions online to open up the assembly and wind the spring up a few more turns to help.

As a note, I never tried this, just never got around to it, so I can not confirm how well it works.
 

fixizin

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Well I ain't tearing into it--esp. since it's a DOT-Safety thaaang--if FoMoCo is on the hook... will report back...
 

fixizin

FoMoCo is forcing me to buy a 'yota
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My credo
A properly suspensioned Ranger can be safely airborne for up to 4 seconds at a time! =:O
Well NHTSA.gov says even safety recalls expire after 15 years, so I missed that boat...

... AND the .gov website (INcorrectly) lists only 11 total recalls for 1999 Rangers (even when I enter my VIN), and the seat-belt retraction issue is not listed... how I KNOW this is INcomplete is they don't even list the "zombie" interval wiper issue, and I have the paperwork from having that one fixed... idjits.

... OTOH, the .gov website is run by... government employees so what else should we expect?

BOTTOM LINE: I'll hit up a Ford dealership, and report back at how much they laugh in my face.
 

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