seatbelts wont retract all they way - how do I get to them to fix?

[kalvick]

Hey Guys

My 01 GT, both the passenger and the driver side seat belts dont fully retract when they are not being used. I want to see if the belt got tangled up in the mechanism or if I need to buy a new seatbelt. the thing is I dont know how to get the plastic panel off to get to the seatbelt's guts.

anyone know how to do this? pics would be a plus too...

 

[RedDaemon]

Hey Guys

My 01 GT, both the passenger and the driver side seat belts dont fully retract when they are not being used. I want to see if the belt got tangled up in the mechanism or if I need to buy a new seatbelt. the thing is I dont know how to get the plastic panel off to get to the seatbelt's guts.

anyone know how to do this? pics would be a plus too...

you will more than likely need to take the back seat out to get to them without damaging any of the trim pieces. i remember seeing this when i did my rear seat delete:

you can see those black studs holding in the trim piece that covers where the mechanism would be

you might be able to pry that panel back. its pretty tough material, but i usually wind up breaking stuff . you will need to unfasten the weather striping as you can see on the far left hand side

 

[Kilgore Trout]

A good trim tool helps. Also do not expect to get the trim back in perfect the first time. It always takes more than one try to get it exactly right.

 

[GDTrumbo]

I asked my Ford "Techie" about the seat belt retractors. They have notoriously weak springs.

He did mention that extending the belts all the way out and letting them retract did help but..... the updated OEM replacements are the only real fix.
I've seen them for about $75 a piece.

GT

 

[kalvick]

can you let me know where you found them for $75? i saw them on late model restoration.com for $130

 

[01GT7051]

also where did you find them for that much? mine have the same problem and some how the belts got twisted on them and its a pain in the arse

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Emissions and safety systems often have extended warranties, do you have a hookup at the stealership? They may fix this. They may also put the teflon tape in just the right spot to enable the belts to move much more freely. The teflon tape is actually a TSB...

 

[ItsStock02]

My passenger belt doesnt pull out at all. I was told that there are some plastic pieces that broke off and thats why it wont pull out anymore.

My drivers belt is slow to retract back too..lol.