Seat Belt Jammed - Help! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

PsyGuy · 08-30-2008, 08:26 PM

The front passenger side seat belt of my 97 Avalon is jammed about half way out (not all the way in or out). Anyone know what is involved in taking the interior panel apart to get access to the retractor mechanism and/or any other tips? Thanks!

***new echo owner*** · 08-30-2008, 08:43 PM

Does it look like the belt is twisted? By working it back and fore would free it up too without taking it apart.

Anyway, you will probably have to pull the door opening seal off to get to the pillar lower trim panel and then use a trim panel tool or a good size screw driver to pop the clips loose to remove the trim panel. You may also have to remove both front and rear door carpet retaining trims.

Good Luck,

N.E.O.

PsyGuy · 08-30-2008, 08:51 PM

Thanks for the suggestions! The seat belt does not appear to be twisted -- just locked/jammed half way out/retracted. It didn't respond to my efforts to try and wiggle/loosen it. I guess that I'll need to open up the interior panel like you said. Anybody else?

sarsman45 · 08-31-2008, 02:38 PM

If you do open up the interior to get to the seat belt, remember that if you take the seat belt mechanism out you must put it back in the same way and make sure that it is very tight when screwing the thing back in. You don't want to fly out of the seat when you get in an accident.

Also, make sure when pulling the panel off you do it carefully because the plastic bolts get deformed a bit and the panel may be loose when you put it back in.

Good luck in your endeavors!

PsyGuy · 08-31-2008, 04:21 PM

Thanks folks! Your comments have been very encouraging and helpful so far!! Right now I just got the interior panels off. As you noted, I was quite apprehensive about removing them as those aged plastic parts tend to break so easily. But I've gotten them off successfully without breaking anything. I am now working on the gimpy retractor mechanism (apparently no retracting tension). I'll see if I can fix it, but it seems like I may need a replacement.

PsyGuy · 08-31-2008, 06:45 PM

I've removed the seat belt retractor and see throught its plastic cover that the metal spring is broken. I haven't located any replacement belt retractors available on-line.

Any suggestions?

I'll check the salvage yard. If not, I guess I'm off to the dealer!

swiftjustice · 09-02-2008, 12:57 PM

I've never seen individual seat belt parts available for sale retail - no one wants the liability of a DIY'er rebuilding their own seats belts, so they are always sold as complete replacement units. Probably not going to be cheap - try a wrecking yard first for another Avy or a Camry seat belt, its probably the same one.

Jagalag · 09-02-2008, 09:49 PM

I've had the same problem on my '99 for some time now. I've got it with my front and back belts though.

gamdeoca · 04-07-2012, 02:55 PM

I started from the back seat and popped the plastic floor strip, then put my finger under the panel and pulled out slowly until it popped. I continued up the backside. I then started on the front side by pulling at the top for the first clip, then I pulled upware and it slid right off!

9T6AvalonXLS · 04-07-2012, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamdeoca

I started from the back seat and popped the plastic floor strip, then put my finger under the panel and pulled out slowly until it popped. I continued up the backside. I then started on the front side by pulling at the top for the first clip, then I pulled upware and it slid right off!

The last prior post was 3 1/2 years ago...