Replacing the seat belt retractor

So I looked around the forums for a bit and couldn't find anything to help me. I would like to replace the seat belt retractor on both driver and passenger. Neither of them seem to retract at all anymore.

This is obviously a safety concern, and I need to do this right because I know how important seat belts are. While I'm at it I may just replace my belts too since it'd probably be easier than cleaning them.

Any ideas, info, or recommendations?

 

@Roman

 

I checked genuine Toyota parts .com, and searched for seat belts. They sell everything. Clips, covers, bolts, nuts... just give me a price for the whole assembly covers, clips, and bolts included. Ridiculous.

 

Try an easy fix first which worked on mine.

Clean the entire belt first with degreaser. Purchase PB Blaster Silicone Spray with Teflon ($7) and SOAK the seat belt down the entire length.

Allow to dry as the Silicone and Teflon work their magic AFTER drying.

You can also shave a little bit of the plastic from between the seatbelt glide (above your ear) to remove the close tolerance. What happens is the fibers catch there and cause (at least in my case) the problem.

 

I'll have to try that. Thanks fred. I will update with results sometime in the next 5-10 business days

 

I can check to see if I can get you some, if you will shoot me your VIN. A lot of those are hazmat and I can't ship them, though.

 

I will get that vin to you in a DM.

 

I got that PB blaster as you suggested, and some Emery cloth from work. I will try this first. Hopefully all goes well.

 

You might also take the covers off the retract mechanism and see if you can lubricate it. If I recall, that’s what I did with my 2001.

 

I did that as well. Good call. Used the same Silicone Spray. Loaded it up with the belt pulled all the way out. Let it retract and repeat with another soaking.

 

I have the same problem. Thanks for the tips.

 

Any tips on the buckle? My seatbelt light comes on. When I bottom out the seatbelt in the buckle it goes out. A new one is not available in gray anymore I'm told.

 

If seen a youtubes video where the guy just sanded the opening on the top plastic part and it works just fine now. Imma try it tommorow