Seat belt fix/replacement?

[Kim]

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]

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.

 

[97Ranger3.0]

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]

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.

 

[gaz]

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]

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???

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

 

[sgtsandman]

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

 

[19Walt93]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[tccollins]

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.

So, I know I'm going out on a limb here....but by any chance you might still have these?

 

[mikkelstuff]

So, I know I'm going out on a limb here....but by any chance you might still have these?

No sorry, sold them.