Hello!

As all know, our 3rd gen 4runner has 3 point seat belt in driver side. My beloved 97 4runner SR5 4x4 auto has "rust" built up on the bottom point(close to hip point of seat), where the the cloth seat belt actually connected to the vehicle body with steel connector.

Passenger side is clean as new. Is this somehow common problem? Any remedy on this? Is it easy to replace such steel component?

My deepest concern is that my wife drives it daily to work, of course, often time with my kid in the back seat.....

Please any advise is surely appreciated...

 

I think there was a TSB about the belt picking up stains from the carpet. Take it to a dealer. They might have you buy a new one though.

Have you tried scraping off the rust? Is it really bad?

 

Gapguy

Thank you for your response.

The rust actually started showing up quite long time ago (at least a few years ago, or more than that...). Of course, when I first found it, I scrapt it and put some oil hoping the rust does NOT grow further... Unfortunately, now the steel connector is completely rust "red" even though it still hold seat belt quite strongly.

As you advised, I will soon drop by local toyota dealer where my rear coil recall service was nicely done (with sufficient kindness, which I never experienced from most of toyota dealers. The worst one was the dealer that I actually bought my brand new 97 4runner).

By the way, would you help me one more time? where can I find such TSB report? I believe it will be very helpful if I can bring such doc's to them.....

Thank you again and have a nice day!!!

 

Here I am back again with some feedback from my local Toyota dealer.

1. The service representative who I discussed this problem seems NOT familiar with this kind of problem.

2. As a result, sort of "more experienced (manager-like)" person came in and stated that it is "OUT OF Warranty" service. (my odo reached 101800 miles.... just missed???)

3. He quoted like "whole belt assembly for Front Dr side is necessary and it is around 140bucks WITHOUT labor'.

4. He estimated the labor would be "at least" 3 hours... 3X85 = 255 bucks.

5. As a result, total would be around (at least) $395


I just left the shop without much hassle..moreover, they don't seem like very interested in fixing this thing even if I pay for it...... They just don't seem like familiar with this problem either.......


The help that I need from you folks,

1. Should I keep looking (start fighting) for Toyota to pay for this problem?
2. if so, what is the good step/procedure? should I just call some number to reach Toyota directly (Not dealer)?
3. Or actually, I am willing to fix it myself if the possibility of screwing up the seat belt is very low... even if I have to buy the part myself... (I can get 20% corporate deal.... 140*0.8 = 112 bucks...) Do you think it is easy fix? I have done various engine jobs myself from changing oils to replacing head gasket etc.... But never done interior nor seat-belt job....
4. Any better idea?

I appreciate your advise (in advance...)

 

I say goto a junk yard and find a seat belt that has NOT been stressed, then install that. Only buy it if the belt was not damaged in an accident. I would feel much more comfortable buying one new, however. The install shouldn't take you more then an hour, at the most. The 3 hours you were quoted is crap.

-OR-

If you really want, I bet you could goto a different dealer and tell them this has been a long-term defect (which I assume it has), and explain that your "very demanding schedule" has prevented you from claiming this under warranty. Explain that 1800 miles is insignificant. Inform them that 1800 miles should be an acceptable grace period for a possibly dangerous defect in a vehicel safety item. Be rude (at last resort)- lines like "my wife's life is at stake because of your lack of responsibility to take action on a valid warranty claim" often work. Insist it be repaired.

Do you know if your warranty even covered seat belts? Look into that, I bet you can get Toyota to cover this.

If I lived closer, I'd likely be able to "convince" Toyota to do this.






Wow, I'm an a-hole.


EDIT: You have a 97. I think thats long out of warranty, uness you extended it.

 

For the local Toyota dealers, I do NOT have much luck. There are 2 toyota dealers within reasonable distance. I already got ripped off from one. And I have been discussing this problem with the other which is more reasonable (so far).

I would rather go with DIY with brand new (140bucks + elbow greese...) being encouraged by your comments.

Anyway, thank you for all your help! and have a nice day.