Seat belt problems

[ndurbin]

Ever since we bought my wife's 1996 Geo Tracker a year or so ago, it has always had a problem with the rear seat belts. They were cut for some reason and when sewed back together it was to thick to slide thru the shoulder anchor point. So I figured it was about time to replace them. I picked up a pair of used ones from a junkyard from an earlier model Tracker and these used ones wont let the seat belt run out. Happens on both of them.



So I took one side of the cover off of one to see what was going on. Nothing was stuck or anything. But there is a small arm that catches the large plastic gear that lets the seat belt run out or be pulled back in. The arm and the gear are similar to that of the catch on a winch to keep it from runing back out when your pulling on something if thats helps anyone picture it. When you yank on the seat belt to try to run it out the arm won't budge and locks everything up. I can hold the arm back off the gear and everything works normally. I took the arm compeltely off and that just lets it free wheel basically, it'll run all the way out with nothing stoping it.



So I guess my question/problem boils down to what makes that arm release to let the seat belt be pulled out and then catch when it's been pulled out far enough?



TIA

Nathan



PS: I would have bought new ones but the dealership wants $400+ for the pair.

 

[red-rider]

I would think because its a safety device it should be covered. My old boss had a problem with a honda that her seat belts gave out and they tried to charge her to replace them but she argued and because they're actually a safety device there SUPPOSED to be covered for life, she got them replaced at no charge. The dealership wont tell you this though.

 

[fkovalski]

Dittos on what red-rider said. I have a co- worker with a Honda. It's 1993 with 180K miles. The dealer took care of his seat belt about a year ago at no cost.



Its just good customer service not to mention the positive PR for Honda.

 

[biggieou]

Dittos on what red-rider said. I have a co- worker with a Honda. It's 1993 with 180K miles. The dealer took care of his seat belt about a year ago at no cost.



Its just good customer service not to mention the positive PR for Honda.

Yeah but remember your talking about Honda and hes talking about GM. Now who has a reputation of good customer service, and who doesnt?

 

[Dieselnut59]

Since the seat belts have been cut and re-sewn, they may not cover them for free. Maybe since you have the replacement ones in there, they won't know, but if they don't match the vehicle build date, they may try to give you H3LL about it.