After 215k miles, front passenger seatbelt no longer retracts. Tired of kids closing it in the door! Saw posts suggesting cleaning the belt and "clip/holder" (the part that adjusts up and down between the front and back doors). Didn't help. Also made sure the belt isn't twisted - it's not. Any suggestions? I am leary of taking the mechanism apart and trying to fix given the extreme importance of it working properly. Does the retracting mechanism just get weak over time? Replacement part is $200.
Yup, it's just a spring so it will lose effectiveness over time. Only way to fix is to replace it but i'm pretty sure you have to disassemble the whole thing to get at it.
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08 tC mt
Smooth driving is comfortable and easy. It is also FAST(though not comfortable at speed). I don't care if you apex corners(everyone does) on a public road unless you suck at it(everyone). Hold a proper line or get out of my way.
My Camry's got the same problem. I tried the fix in this link, but it didn't help at all. Mine only had about one turn of preload slack in it. I'm guessing the spool assy in the pictures is what has to be replaced.
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1992 Camry LE, V6 (3VZ-FE), ABS brakes, 330k miles, dark emerald pearl, owned since new.
1996 Avalon XLS, ABS brakes, moonroof, white, acquired w/ 139k miles, now at 261k.
2001 Yamaha FZ1, Ivan's jet kit, resprung all around, Ohlins in the rear, Race Tech cartridge emulators in the forks, 45k miles.
A common problem with Toyota seatbelts through the 1990s. The springs wear out and lose their ability to retract the belt. Try cleaning the belt. That has been known to help a little bit.
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1994 Toyota Pickup Xtra cab 4x2 22R-E 44,000 mi
1998 Toyota Avalon 1MZ-FE 137,000 mi
2005 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab 49,000 mi
2006 BMW 330i Sedan 85,000 mi
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid 2AZ-FXE 62,000 mi
Thanks 84cressida. Belt is very clean, but I did some cleaning nevertheless. No improvement (probably because already clean). Do you have any experience with replacing the spring or having it replaced?? Or known anyone to do this? Thanks.
A common problem with Toyota seatbelts through the 1990s. The springs wear out and lose their ability to retract the belt. Try cleaning the belt. That has been known to help a little bit.
It's not just the 90's lol.
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08 tC mt
Smooth driving is comfortable and easy. It is also FAST(though not comfortable at speed). I don't care if you apex corners(everyone does) on a public road unless you suck at it(everyone). Hold a proper line or get out of my way.
Thanks 84cressida. Belt is very clean, but I did some cleaning nevertheless. No improvement (probably because already clean). Do you have any experience with replacing the spring or having it replaced?? Or known anyone to do this? Thanks.
I don't have any experience with replacing the parts, but buying a new seat belt (they don't sell the mechanism seprately unforunately) will fix the problem..until that one eventually wears out, too.
Does your seat belt retract at all? When they wear out, they should still retract the belt but you might have to guide them with your hands and help them out a bit. Do yours not retract at all? That might be indicative of another problem, since obviously there isn't supposed to be slack on the belt when a person has it on.
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1994 Toyota Pickup Xtra cab 4x2 22R-E 44,000 mi
1998 Toyota Avalon 1MZ-FE 137,000 mi
2005 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab 49,000 mi
2006 BMW 330i Sedan 85,000 mi
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid 2AZ-FXE 62,000 mi
Yes, belt retracts very slowly if jiggled and given encouragement. Likely a weak spring. I see there is a repair place in Jupiter Florida specializing in seatbelts. May give them a try.
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