Seat Belt Pretensioner Repair - Final Update Must Read

I've never heard that. But that's also why I'd try refurbing it myself for free, first.

 

Jbrandt, I hear ya and understand. I tried cleaning the belts, and based on the TSB Toyota sent out on August 10, 2001, I cleaned the shoulder anchor (plastic piece where the seat belt fits in-between). No results https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lazy-seat-belt-fix.246949/
I read about the retentioning of the spring at this site http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/minutemods/seatbelt/. I have read mixed reviews on how well this procedure works.
So, yeah, I'm paying the $178 to get them both fixed.

 

That report was just one post. Mine OEM brand new came "choking tight".

 

and they keep retracting without hand feeding them back when unbuckled?

all i did was to fully pull all the way out and wash with soapy warm water and it still did not make them retract without hand feeding them back

 

That TSB predates both your an my trucks. I wonder if it still applies to ours.

There's also this one (also references the 4x4wire link, too)
https://www.diyforums.net/slow-lazy-seat-belt-retractor-fix-solution-116257.html

I've heard mix reviews too, but for the price (free) it may work well enough.

I'm just a cheap bastard, so...

 

All you did was clean the fabric. You also need to clean/lubricate the mechanism, and re-wind the spring.

 

I like that ...."I'm just a cheap bastard, so..."
I suffer from Toyota OCD. I want my 2003 to be like the day I bought her brand new.

 

Oh god, that ship sailed a long time ago for me!

 

When I cleaned my belts I used a clamp to secure them so they wouldn't retract back.
It's pretty amazing just how dirty they are....even when they don't appear dirty.

 

darnit I thought I was the king of Tacoma OCD, my truck is almost 'over the hill' for lack of a better phrase

 

Are you using the truck with no seatbelts? Just curious. Need to do mine.

 

I know I'll probably get slammed for this, but yes. I completely understand that this doesn't make it right, but I only work about 3 miles from the house.
And plus, growing up we rolled around in the back and front with zero protection!
I'm a big believer in seat belts but for this short duration, I'll take my chances.

 

That's scary, because mine appear really dirty, lol.

 

Actually I have to hold the hasp after releasing it from the buckle just to slow it down and not let it slap back hitting my side window.

Frankly my old seat belts (23 years old) were not that bad, they were retracting on their own but not when the belt got twisted (the buckle being put the wrong way). Especially my wife always left the belt twisted and then they did not retract. I had to untwist the belt for them to roll in. But I never had to feed them.

With new belts they are so slippery that they don't get twisted - even if they got twisted while unbuckled they straighten up on their own on the way up. I really don't know what kind of grief that guy had with his new OEM belts.

By the way I have also replaced both buckles at the same time. The latch started to show symptoms of being worn out and sometimes they did not latch at the first push or did not release if the pressing button was not on center. They are much less expensive then belts and it was worth it.

 

Received notification that the seat belts have been shipped back to me.

 

Dude, I know there are some hella opinionated folks out there. But you're an adult man. You deal with your consequences, not us. I appreciate you being straight up about it but doesn't even matter.
But in my mind you're just fine, no need to explain or defend it. But you can definitely explain if you want.
Just don't want anyone tearing on anyone over such little things, that's how we get folks scared to ask and share their different questions and experiences. Anyways
And yes of course I believe seat belts are good, before the pantywaists jump all over me

 

thanks for the write up! i just used it to replace my driver side seatbelt with an oem. it was mostly uneventful but i had a hell of a time getting the interior molding back on. the wires that run to the seatbelt had come out of their grove and prevented it from going back in at the bottom. also the push on fasteners don't necessarily hold all that well after being removed. so the middle section where the rear speakers are is a little loose. i also broke the door sill cover so it doesn't stay fastened down test well. might order a new one.
next project might be new seats and shampoo the carpet...

 

Mine started to sag a several years ago. About 2 years ago I pulled them apart and tightened them up- I think I got an extra turn around the drum. They were OK for a bit, but started getting shitty again. 3 weeks ago, I ordered some new ones from Toyota. I have yet to install them.

 

Update #4..Seat belts were returned to me on Monday, February 10th. So, the turn around was exactly one week.
Now the bad news. No difference or worse! That's right....worse than before, and I didn't think that was possible.
I even had my wife come sit in the truck and she agreed, they are worse.
There was a plastic "keeper" attached to each seat belt to keep them from retracting so you could re-install. These were removed after bolting them in.

Let me state, that I marked clearly on the Drivers side seat belt, "Driver" with a blue sharpie (look back at previous pictures). I did this so I would know where to re-install...if that matters.
I called them yesterday and spoke to the customer service rep and explained my experience. She stated that the first thing the tech will ask, is were the seat belts installed on the correct side. I stated that yes, I had marked "Driver" on the L side, and the L sticker is on that seat belt.
So, the tech is supposed to call me today.
I'm not going to bash the company, but needless to say, I'm disappointed. I really don't want to have to remove these again, and ship them off which is probably what they are going to ask.
So, in conclusion, I would recommend just ordering new.

In the meantime, I'm going to go to parts.camelbacktoyota.com and order a new drivers side seat belt.
Can someone please confirm the part # below?? I've seen where members pay in the $160 range, but for my VIN# it's around $190.


Day they arrived back. Nicely packaged, and identified by L & R stickers.