My back seatbelt is stuck (wont retract). How do I take it apart and fix? Do I need a new mechanism?

 

Both of my rear seatbelts are stuck all the way in--they don't pull out at all! Any advice, people?

thanks

 

Here are two tricks that work for me.

First, lower the rear seat backs. Grasp the belt about 3" to 4" from the exit port and gently tug straight out (toward the front of the car) about 1/4" to 1/2" or so. After the tug outward feed the belt towards the back of the car for an inch or so. You're trying to disengage a small pawl on a toothed wheel that is engaged, sort of bouncing it, and you don't have much slack to work with, but you can often get it to release using only the space of one or two tooth positions.

Or, there might really be some interference under the rear trim that adds a bit of friction and prevents the belts from retracting. Again, lower the rear seat backs. Loosen the rear trim piece by releasing the four Phillips screws located across the face of the back trim piece.

Carefully raise the vertical edge of the trim to create a bit of space at the corners near the seatbelt port. Don't pull the trim away from the rear window too much: there are speaker wires and it can be a bear to replace around the rear wiper.

Again try to "bounce" the belt gently out a fraction and feed back in an inch.

Both of these have done the trick for me at times.

Let us know what trick(s) work!

 

ez_777-

Great write-up there on the back seats. Any tips for the front seats? Last night for the second time since i've owned the truck the front passenger seat belt is stuck. I think I have the opposite problem of the original poster as my belt is stuck "in" not out. The first time this happened I gave it a good hard jiggle and it came free and worked fine, until last night.

Today I messed with it for a while and it wouldn't budge. Has the same tension as if the brakes were being applied and the belt won't move at all other than 1-2" of slack. Any thoughts?

 

No idea really, for a car that's easily 10 years newer than mine ... other than to note that Porsche just announced a recall for the Panamera because of problems with seat belt tensioners. Not pointing any finger, but perhaps you should ask your dealer if they will take a look - under "before I have to call the Feds, warranty"?

 

Ha...that a pretty good idea probably. I have the car going in for a few things soon anyway so I'll have them take a look. Probably needs a new spring or something.