Hayk

iTrader: (1)

My seat belt still works, but it's very slow to retract. I basically have to feed it back in when I get out of the car. It's also kind of dirty and a little worn, so it would be nice to get a replacement. I have 175,700 miles on the clock.

Are ebay seatbelts safe to buy? OEM is over $200 from a dealer, while ebay ones go for around $40-80. I was reading the service manual, and it said something about being careful with the pre-tensioner, like it was some kind of a bomb. And it also noted that seatbelts need to be replaced after an accident. Since the parts on ebay are most likely from salvaged cars, do you think it's a good idea to get one from there?

mdbrown

I would not replace with anything but a new unit. The money you saved will do you little good if you are in an accident and are out the front window. As for careful handling yes, they have an explosive charge in the front belts that tighten the belt around you in the event of an accident. Handle them as you would handle an airbag.

marcoes300

mine did the same thing ( not retract very fast ) and it wasnt the unit that was defective but the thing that the belt pass through ( like plastic) ... just take something like a knif and enlarge the space where the belt pass...



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sorry for my english lol

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Does the pretensioner come seperately?

mdbrown

I know the pretensioner can be purchased seperately on a Chrysler, not so sure on the Lexus. Call the dealer parts department, they can tell you.

polatok

please update what you find out, i got the same issue as well!

DRACO A5OG

Any updates on the swap out or suggested mod?

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Unfortunately, no. I cleaned the little opening through which the belt slides, since it seemed to have accumulated a lot of grime over the years, but the belt is still not returning fast enough. I haven't tried enlarging it - seemed a little barbaric to me. Although I tested the return mechanism by letting go of the belt at multiple angles and it seems like the actual spring is the culprit. I also decided to save up for a new unit instead of getting one off ebay, just to be on the safe side. (no pun intended)

DRACO A5OG

Probably a good idea to get OEM belts to be SAFE :-)

I swapped my 911's belts due to Track requirements. Apparently the DOT cert expires after 10 years