Rear Seatbelts - Do not lock under tension

[shoe88]

Hi all,

Proud owner of a '94 Explorer XLT. Currently on 195k with dropped tranny at 170k. Other than that it has been a great run and I want to keep this pal around for even longer!

Recently came back from deployment and noticed that the rear passenger Seatbelts (except the center lap belt, that tension lock still works) no longer lock when you pull fast. I was wondering if anyone know some troubleshooting I can do prior to heading to a junkyard? Both belts worked before I left for deployment.

If I do have to replace them what size sockets and other tools do I need to take with me?

 

[Anime]

The tension lock doesn't always work when you just pull it fast, often you have to actually sit in the seat and wear the seatbelt, then pull it at that angle.

Part of the design is that the belts don't just engage when pulled fast, to allow movement, so they usually only engage when pulled fast after being pulled out and when they are at an angle they would be at when a person is sitting in the seat and wearing them.

Generally you only have to replace them if the belts themselves are worn out from use.

If you do want to replace them, the bolts that hold them in use a T-50 Torx key, a Torx socket with extension and ratchet or breaker bar makes them easier to remove, they are in there pretty tight for obvious reasons.

 

[shoe88]

Thanks for the info Anime, I tried all that you mentioned and still no function. They were working before I left so have no idea why they all of a sudden stopped functioning. Do the teeth/latches rust out or seize over time?

 

[Zvony]

I know is an old topic, but I have the same problem. Tested on 3 of my 1993 Explorers and none of the rear seat belts lock. Also, on my daily, the front passanger only locks from time to time.
Any ideas?

 

[Mr. Alligator]

^^^^^ I think the answer is two posts up. Have you looked at that!

Good luck and drive safe.

 

[Zvony]

^^^^^ I think the answer is two posts up. Have you looked at that!

Good luck and drive safe.

Yes, I've tested them while sitting on the rear seat and with the belt connected. Still no lock.
My 1993 Eddie Bauer will soon be out of the shop after a full paint job and, as my hobby ride, I want to put a child seat in it and the fact that the belts don't lock makes me feel very unconfortable.

 

[Nadams01]

Like anime stated, the tensioners are super finnicky. I had a 1992 Celica with a bad tensioner and I had to take it apart, they work by using a sort of check bell that rolls around an area that it will only be in if the tensioner is setup just like it would be if you were wearing it. When a sudden force is applied to it, the ball rolls forward and activates a latch which blocks the ratcheting mechanism and locks it. Usually, if the seat belt doesn't have issues retracting, then the tensioner should be just fine as the retracting mechanism is the only moving part, only the ball locks it.

 

[Zvony]

Thanks for your answers! I'll try again tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[BKennedy]

The center belt should lock under tension, like when putting your knee into a child seat to tighten the belt.
It has to have pressure or tension on it to lock/ratchet.

The shoulder belts only lock when under a quick, major load like a collision, or when your teetering on 2 wheels ar a 30* angle leaning over a cliff and are trying to look out the window to see what your next move is.

 

[Zvony]

Hi guys,
I've been testing all the rear seat belts and out of 5 Explorers, only one has them working (coincidence or not, is the only European spec Explorer). I've took two of them home and I'll try to have a look. Don;t know for what, but those are spares.