Hi all,

I have a 2004 F-250 Lariat SB Supercab with the front bench seat (ie seat belt anchor points are built into the seats). The passenger-side seat belt retracts smoothly, but the driver-side retractor is very reluctant, and the belt usually has to be fed into the retractor by hand.

Has anyone had this problem? The Ford stealership wants $176 for a new seat belt and retractor mechanism, but I would like to fix it myself. Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to FTE

The seat belt should be covered under warranty if you are still within the range of the warranty period. It's a safety issue, it's not considered a "wear" part.


If you end up having to buy one, FTE has a Ford Dealer sponsor DIRECTFORDPARTS who gives discounts to FTE members. Why pay some other dealers (padded) list price? You can find their listing among the sponsors-top of page-click the refresh button if you don't see them.

 

118k miles, so the warranty is long-expired, unfortunately. I used to have an Infiniti which supposedly had a lifetime warranty on all seat-belt-related components, but I don't believe that Ford has a similar policy.

Thanks for the advice; I'll check out the link if I end having to buy a new part.

 

I had a rear seat belt with the same problem. Took it apart and found that a something inside had come loose and wedged into the mechanism. Was simple and obvious to fix. Didn't cost me a cent...