How To Fix A Twisted Seatbelt

Last Updated on June 17, 2021

The occasional accident is an unfortunate, notwithstanding often unavoidable, part of spending fourth dimension behind the wheel of a car.

While some might drive their unabridged lives without experiencing then much as a fender bender, most motorists accept been involved in at least 1 blow at some bespeak throughout the years.

Equally most are well aware, when such instances do occur, a properly performance seatbelt and airbags are oftentimes the merely matter standing between a vehicle'southward occupants and grave injury.

However, much similar whatsoever other vehicle component, seat belts do occasionally malfunction.

When this occurs, more than than a modest inconvenience is presented, as one'south safety is on the line. Read on to learn more nigh seat belt function, and how to fix a seat chugalug that is jammed, or otherwise malfunctioning.

Parts of a Seat Belt

While a seat belt often appears rather simple in design to the casual observer, such units are made upwards of several individual components, which operate cohesively to keep a vehicle's occupants prophylactic.

The following are the five individual components that comprise a vehicle'south restraint system.

Buckle

A seat chugalug's buckle serves as the receptacle into which a restraint's latch plate is secured. When fastening your seat belt, its latch plate snaps into the system's buckle, where it is locked in place until manually released.

Latch Plate

A seat chugalug'southward latch plate is capable of sliding up and downward on a restraint's webbing, and locks in identify when inserted into its corresponding buckle. The latch plate is then released from its buckle when the unit's buckle release is depressed.

Webbing

A seat belt's webbing is often referred to as the "belt" by motorists, because it wraps around a vehicle's occupant, and serves as a restraining device in the event of a standoff. Seat chugalug webbing is made of polyester fibers, and is designed to withstand immense daze loads.

Colonnade Loop

A seat belt'south pillar loop is affixed to the expanse over a motorist's shoulder, and allows the webbing of a seat chugalug to be pulled out or retracted for proper fitment and comfort. Pilar loops often differ in design from one vehicle to the next and are typically manufacturer specific in nature.

Retractor

A seat belt'south retractor is responsible for the inward and outward distribution of webbing nether normal operating conditions.

A retractor is also responsible for locking a seat belt'due south webbing in a fixed position when information technology is yanked outward in an precipitous fashion, such as in the case of a collision. In near cases, a retractor will lock a seatbelt in place after an accident also.

Related: Steering Wheel Locked Upwardly While Driving? (What to Exercise)

How to Fix a Seat Belt That Won't Retract

One of the well-nigh unremarkably experienced of all seat belt related issues is that of a seat belt that will not retract, or that has been pulled likewise far out and locked.

There are two probable causes of such issues; a twisted seat belt, or a malfunctioning retractor. In the event of a malfunctioning seal chugalug retractor, replacement is advised.

While information technology is possible to use a seat belt repair service such as MyAirbags.com or SafetyRestore.com to restore a retractor'south functionality, information technology is important to call up that you lot are dealing with safety-sensitive equipment, and such repairs are best completed by a trained technician.

Luckily, the root cause of a sagging seat belt or seat belt that fails to retract is often simply the event of twisted webbing. When this occurs, follow the steps below to restore the unit'southward functionality.

Related: How to Fix a Car Door That Won't Latch

#1 – Create Gratuitous-Play

Begin by unbuckling your seat belt, thereby creating slack in the unit of measurement's webbing. Slowly feed the seat belt backward, if possible, in an attempt to allow one"-two" of retraction.

#2 – Slowly Pull Seat Belt

Now, slowly pull your seatbelt outward, until it is fully extended. This should clear whatever webbing twists that are present. If y'all feel any resistance during this step, a twisted chugalug probable is to blame.

#3 – Study Belt for Signs of Twist

As you keep to pull your seat chugalug outward, look for signs of twisting in areas of depression clearance. Pay close attention to the seat belt'due south pillar loop, or any location where the seat chugalug disappears backside trim paneling.

#four – Remove Paneling if Necessary

If yous noticed outward resistance when completing the steps listed above, but accept been unable to remedy the issue at hand, information technology might be necessary to remove whatsoever pillar trim that shrouds your seatbelt's components.

This will allow you to physically check for obvious twists or other irregularities.

How to Fix a Seat Belt That Won't Pull Out

Another commonly encountered restraint organisation outcome is that which pertains to a seatbelt that volition not pull out, leaving motorists unable to secure themselves into their vehicle.

This is also an issue that can have multiple root causes, including a faulty or damaged retractor.

However, earlier a retractor is condemned and replacement is initiated, one can attempt a simple fix, which often provides a satisfactory resolution. Doing so is as easy equally following the steps beneath.

#ane – Create Slack if Possible

In the case of a seat chugalug that will not pull out, an obstruction of some type within the belt's retractor is often to blame. To remedy this issue, begin past manually feeding your seatbelt dorsum into its retractor to create slack.

#2 – Await for Obstructions

You will now written report your seat chugalug's retractor, in a bid to uncover any obstructions which might be causing the event at hand. In some cases, you lot might take to remove pieces of trim paneling in order to proceeds admission to this retractor.

Dirt, gravel, or any other blazon of droppings tin can lead to retractor bug and must exist cleared to provide optimal functionality.

#iii – Eliminate Twists

If your inspection reveals signs of a twisted seat belt, you must eliminate this outcome to restore full functionality. Doing so oftentimes requires an individual to manually turn their retractor in, thereby creating additional slack.

A flat head screwdriver tin and so be used to rectify any twisting that has occurred.

#4 – Examination and Tug

You lot will now examination your seat belt to come across if information technology is able to be pulled outward. If bug persist, you can endeavour to jar lose whatever internal binding that has taken place within the seat belt's retractor.

This is done by firmly grabbing the seat belt's webbing, and giving 2-3 swift, forceful tugs. In many instances, doing so will often gratis upwards leap or misaligned retractor components, thereby restoring functionality.

See Also: Common Causes of an Airbag Light Coming On

Other Seat Chugalug Problems

There are also several other seat belt related issues that all too often plague motorists and their vehicles. The following are some of the most common of these problems.

Slowly Retracting Seat Belt

Motorists are often faced with a seat belt that is irksome to retract. A kinked or twisted seat belt is oftentimes to blame.

When this occurs, slowly pull outward on your seatbelt until it is fully extended, while checking for the presence of twist. Then, slowly allow the belt to retract to its rest position.

In some cases, an crumbling seat belt that has go stiff from contagion with dirt and other particles tin be to blame for deadening retraction. To remedy such issues, the seat belt in question tin be pulled outward and cleaned with soapy h2o.

Sticking Seat Belt Release

With time, a seat belt buckle's release button can become increasingly difficult to depress. This can be frustrating, to say the least, and is a mutual crusade of concern for many motorists.

While the internal mechanical failure of a seat chugalug buckle does occur on occasion, one is far more likely to encounter a buckle that has become contaminated with clay, sticky substances, and other forms of debris.

In lodge to remedy such concerns, rubbing booze or electrical contact cleaner tin be used to launder abroad contaminant deposits. Cleaning a buckle in this way takes merely minutes, and often restores total functionality.

Source: https://cartreatments.com/seat-belt-wont-retract/

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