I got kinda fed up with my slow seat belt retractors in my 2nd gen runner.
So I went out this morning to look into it, after someone suggested cleaning out the spring mechanism.
After I took a closer look at how it was acting, I removed the cover over the belt, to see what it would take to remove the retractor mechanism.
I noticed at that point, that the belt was tight from the retractor, to the upper guide,... and from the upper guide down to the seat belt tongue, the belt was loose.
When I grabbed the tight side of the belt with the cover off, and pulled it out horozintally, it snaped right back in like it should. It seemed the spring was tight enough to retract it just fine.
However if I pull it from the tongue end of the belt it won't retract without me helping it.
It seemed that the upper guide was the culprit in the slow action.
I lifted the belt and found a bunch of black / grey crap on the guide that seemed to be causing the belt to drag.
Using a flat blade screwdriver I could easily scrape the crap off the guide, a toothbrush with rubbing alcohol, and a few paper towels did the rest to clean it up.
I also removed the 14mm bolt under the snap cover to allow me to flip the guide over and inspect / clean the other side. Good thing I did.
This stuff looks like that greasy crap you get when people have been touching things too often. In my opinion I think the belt picked up sweat and oil from people along with clothing fuzz from using the belt and it gets wiped off on the guide as the belt flows through it.
In retrospect, It's not necessary to remove the plastic cover over to belt and retractor mechanism.
After cleaning, my belts work all by themselves now with no help.
I'm sure their not as good as "new" but much better anyway.
This buildup on the guides has probably been accumulating since the truck was new.
I have attached some pictures below, and 2 video links showing before cleaning operation, and after.
Hopes this helps others out, I know I have recieved, and used some great information from this forum!












Before Cleaning Video
After Cleaning

 

Sorry about the double post everyone.
Not sure how that happened, maybe the admin can delete the other one.

 

Thanks, and gross. I should do mine tomorow.

 

Just did mine on my pickup, was not as gummed up as yours but at least its clean now .

 

Did it help?

 

Another thing that can help is when the seat belts get old and crusty looking (not as flexible), scrub the belts themselves with soapy water, then rinse them off. It should soften the belt material up and make it retract better.

 

If you are really lazy like me try this: Stick the seatbelt in the washing machine with your laundry. Mine works like new now and no scrubbing involved

 

how did you get it off the retractor? i couldnt get mine to come out the small slot in the top. i followed the MINUTE MOD directions to get the belt loose from the retractor but didnt want to force the belt through the slot and and not be able to get it back in and be s.o.l. with no belt.

 

Good post, Scrid -- thanks! Your interior looks just like mine, except, well . . . cleaner.

 

Thanks 4mydogs, but don't look too close. We carry our lab around with us in the back and man does he shed up my interior! Good thing my interior is tan and he is beige.

 

I imagine you are talking about the hanger at the top... I just left it on when I through it in the wash, it did appear to be too small to thread the end of the belt through. It just occured to me that maybe you are talking about the little plastic piece on the retractor itself. If that is the case, I did just thread it through with no problems.

 

These trucks have seat belts in them?

 

Everytime I buy a used vehicle, I always stretch the seatbelts all the way out, peg it with clothespins, and wash the belts with soapy water, then air dry.

Think of all the times you drive around shirtless... and the previous owner did the same thing...

ewww.

You can get a seatbelt cleaning kit from the dealership too... it consists of:

1 strip of velcro, about 6" long, the 'hook' side only
2 pc of special tape that's super slippery on the non-sticky side

You 'scrub' the upper belt anchor with the velcro, then apply the tape to the bottom of the anchor and ta-da, like new.

No idea what it costs, but here's the part#

TAPE, SET
73205-48011

Regards,

 

thanks, i was about to steal the belts from my extracab and put them in front.

 

Must be a 4Runner thing -- we have two yellow Labs.

 

Methinks you have nasty passengers.... judging by how much cleaner your side is, your either cleaner than your passengers, or dont wear your seatbelt as often.

Thanks!! I'm gonna check and clean mine this evening!!

 

Ha! Yeah I would go for that if I was the original owner. I personally don't wear my seatbelt in the runner.
Except for when I C an officer pulling up behind me. Then after the coast is clear the damn thing wouldn't retract all the way.
My girlfriend doesn't ride around in the passenger seat without her top on though,....despite my encouragement to do so.

 

If she starts, let me know, Imma coming to Omaha. Or pics would be nice.