An unlatching or unreleased seat belt spells D-A-N-G-E-R for any motorist. If you get into an accident, you could suffer severe injuries, or even death. Not only that, but not wearing a seat belt is illegal in most countries in the world and can get you into serious trouble with the police.
Plus, if you cause a collision because you weren’t buckled up, it could end up costing you a lot of money in fines.
Sometimes, the belt will stop working correctly if you pull the leather in the wrong way. For other cases, an object can find its way in the buckle and lead the mechanism to fail. Meanwhile, parts of the device can break down, too, leaving you no choice but to replace the whole buckle.
Deal with these malfunctions in the following ways so you can get a much-needed seat belt repair.
Prepare These Tools
As we discuss brass tacks and explain how to repair a jammed seat belt buckle, the first step involves having the right equipment on hand, such as:
- A screwdriver
- One small-sized, pointed object (a dull knife will do)
- A pair of tweezers
- Lubricants such as WD-40 or any other equivalent
- Around four pairs of cotton buds
- A bottle of rubbing alcohol
These tools will help in assembly, disassembly, and cleanup.
Check the Belt
Before seeking seat belt repairs, always inspect the device first. It could undergo damage, or something else might have gotten stuck in it. If you notice any dirt on it, clean it off.
Try to buckle the seat belt again to see if the problem is resolved. If not, you’ll have to replace it. It’s also worth checking the seat belt webbing to look for cuts or tears. If the webbing is damaged, you must change the entire belt.
Inspect the Buckle
The buckle for your seat is located right next to it, so it is very likely that something fell into it and is messing with how it works. The buckle could be malfunctioning due to several common culprits, including coins, toys, food particles, spilled beverages, or dirt buildup.
You can quickly solve this by utilizing a screwdriver or a pointy object and removing the offending items stuck inside. If this doesn’t work, or if you cannot pull anything out of the buckle, don’t take it for seat belt repairs just yet. Keep reading.
Take the Buckle Out
Depending on your vehicle’s make and model, the buckle could be hard to reach. If it is too uncomfortable for you to work on it in your car, you may have to take it out before opening it.
This can be tricky, as some car models require removing the seat first. Check your vehicle manual if you don’t know how to do that. This document should have all the details on removing it step by step.
Take the Buckle Apart
Unbuckling your seat belt may seem difficult at first. But all you have to do is open the latch to get inside. Most have a couple of screws that you need to loosen, or you can apply force on the two plastic parts to get inside. Using any tool, such as a flat-head screwdriver, will help.
Take a look inside the connector, and you will see a simple mechanism. A steel rod called the “push” button catches onto the buckle when you push it in. You will also see some springs. When you press the push button, the rod pushes out of the buckle and releases the clips so that you can remove the strap.
Buy a New One
The above tips usually solve a broken seat belt. However, if they don’t work, don’t waste time on seat belt repairs. It’s time to get a new one to ensure each component works perfectly and won’t cause any more untoward incidents. Sure, you’ll end up forking hundreds of dollars for a new seat belt system, but that’s a more sensible cost than paying fines and hospital bills down the line.
For handy seat belt repairs, visit Safety Restore today! We are the world’s leader in post-accident restorations, specializing in seat belt repairs and airbag modules. We also provide webbing replacements and instrument cluster repairs. Find a compatible service for your car on our website right now!
