Seat belt retractor failure

[chumley20]

1992 Camry. All the seat belt retractors in my car no longer retract the belts all the way. This is a problem, as the belts are still extended when the doors are closed even though the belts are buckled. Anybody else have this problem ? Thanks.

[chronoti]

yes, it's old age .... nothing we can do ....

[coolchu001]

i got the same problem on my camry too.....also a 92

[dna59]

You can count me in on this group too.

[toyotanut3717]

Originally Posted by chumley20

1992 Camry. All the seat belt retractors in my car no longer retract the belts all the way. This is a problem, as the belts are still extended when the doors are closed even though the belts are buckled. Anybody else have this problem ? Thanks.

Only way to fix it, is to replace it. I had my drivers belt replaced.

[steve97]

My driver's side seat belt retractor is not as strong as it used to be. Does not always want to retract all the way back.Especially when it is really cold outside.This fall I took the belt mechanism apart and wound it two revolutions tighter, cleaned the mechanism and sprayed with silicon. Much better, but I was wondering, if anyone knew whether I could switch the passenger's seat belts with the driver's? The passenger seat belt pulls out very smoothly and retracts completely, as this has been mostly a 1 passenger car. Are the passenger and driver seat belts interchangeable? Are they both the same part number?

[cdlubbe]

Hello:I hav e a 1998 Camry with the same problem.The drivers side return spring is pretty weak.The passenger side is stronger.I did not know you could take them about and wind the spring tighter.can I do this to my 1998?
Thanks...Chuck

[steve97]

Yes, this fall I took the drivers side seat belt and wound the spring 1 (or 2) times tighter. Before the belt would not reliably wind all the way back in, I would often have to "feed" the last 6 inches of the belt into the slot, just to keep from possibly slamming the door into the belt clasp. Now it retracts fine, only getting hung up when the belt twists. Maybe I am picky, but when it is cold it does not pull out as smooth as the passenger side. I was wondering if I could simply switch the passenger and drivers retractors, thus putting the next 90k miles of use on the other retractor?

[Davee]

Originally Posted by steve97

Yes, this fall I took the drivers side seat belt and wound the spring 1 (or 2) times tighter. Before the belt would not reliably wind all the way back in, I would often have to "feed" the last 6 inches of the belt into the slot, just to keep from possibly slamming the door into the belt clasp. Now it retracts fine, only getting hung up when the belt twists. Maybe I am picky, but when it is cold it does not pull out as smooth as the passenger side. I was wondering if I could simply switch the passenger and drivers retractors, thus putting the next 90k miles of use on the other retractor?

I have had this problem drivers side for about 4 years . Your suggestion re extra wraps sounds great . Will try when weather breaks. Thanks!

[zoni]

me too.