Jimk
New Member
- Joined
- January 9, 2005
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Tempe, AZ
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 93 xlt 2wd
My wife has a 93 XLT 5 spd 2wd. We bought it new and she really loves it. One nagging problem has been both front seat belt retractors have become stiff (as if they need lube) and make a "rusty gate" squeaking noise when the belts are pulled out. Both belts do this but the right side is worse than the left. They also fail to fully retract the belt which sometimes results in the buckle getting slammed in the door preventing it from closing and latching. They have been doing this for a few years and I'm getting tired of the hassle. I just discovered this awesome site so I figured someone will have a solution.
I have removed the belts, drilled a small hole in the plastic retractor housing and sprayed dry Teflon lube into the drum area. This gave immediate relief to the noise and friction problem. However, it only lasted until I got them re-installed then they both started tightening up again.
The belt winds onto a metal hub but there are some plastic rotating parts in there too, so I have been hesitant to use any type of petroleum (wet) type of lubricant. I don't want to get the nylon belt full of oil and possibly weaken it.
Is this a common problem with the gen 1 xplos? Is there an easy fix? The rear seat belts work like new. Are they interchangeable with the front? I would dread having to remove those sidepanels in the back. UGH!
My 95 F250 drivers seat belt is also starting to do this but to a lesser extent. Must be a Ford thing.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
I have removed the belts, drilled a small hole in the plastic retractor housing and sprayed dry Teflon lube into the drum area. This gave immediate relief to the noise and friction problem. However, it only lasted until I got them re-installed then they both started tightening up again.
The belt winds onto a metal hub but there are some plastic rotating parts in there too, so I have been hesitant to use any type of petroleum (wet) type of lubricant. I don't want to get the nylon belt full of oil and possibly weaken it.
Is this a common problem with the gen 1 xplos? Is there an easy fix? The rear seat belts work like new. Are they interchangeable with the front? I would dread having to remove those sidepanels in the back. UGH!
My 95 F250 drivers seat belt is also starting to do this but to a lesser extent. Must be a Ford thing.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.