How to Replace a Car Seat Belt
by Ashley Hay
Replacing the entire seat belt assembly on your vehicle is easier then replacing a single part. When you opt to replace the entire seat belt, you do not need to take apart the old pieces to insert a new belt or to fix a broken retractor. A seat belt consists of two main parts, the retractor and the buckle. The retractor is the part that that allows the belt to be pulled and retracted. The buckle is the end that you plug the belt into. Replacing a seat belt can be accomplished in a short amount of time.
Step 1
Locate the bolts that hold both ends of the current seat belt in place. You may need to pull a plastic cover off the top of the bolts to see them. The cover may just pop off or you may need to pry it off with a screwdriver. Some cars do not have a cover over the seat belt retractors, in which case you will be able to see the bolts easily. Depending on your vehicle, the bolts may be attached to the side of the seat, the floor or the side panel. If you have a three-point seat belt, you will have the shoulder strap, lap belt and the buckle to unbolt. If you have only a lap belt, you will only need to unbolt the belt and buckle.
Step 2
Unbolt all ends of the old seat belt by using a wrench. You will need to unbolt the retractor side as well as the side the seat belt locks into.
Step 3
Line the new retractor up to the holes that you will be inserting the bolts into. Some vehicles may only have one bolt, while others may have two or three.
Step 4
Bolt the new retractor into place, tightening it with your wrench. If you have a shoulder and lap belt, connect both pieces and bolt them into place.
Step 5
Line the new buckle up to the holes that you will be inserting the bolts into. Some vehicles may have only one bolt, while others may have two or three.
Step 6
Bolt the new buckle into place, tightening it with your wrench.
Step 7
Test the seat belt by pulling the belt from the retractor and allowing it to retract back into place.
Step 8
Insert the tongue of the seat belt into the buckle and pull on it to ensure the belt stays locked into the buckle.
References
Things You'll Need
- Wrench
- Screwdriver
Writer Bio
Based in Columbus, Ga., Ashley Hay has been covering animal health and wellness since 2004, and arts and entertainment since 2008. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in psychology from the University of Central Florida.
