Seat belt retractors

[IIGood]

The retractors in my '03 GT are more or less shot. The driver's side will still retract with minimal assistance, but the passenger side retractor is pretty much done.

I checked with the body shop I've taken my car to and they gave me a price of about $350 (parts and labor) to replace both. It's about $150 per side for the parts...then another $60 in labor.

Then I tried looking online...teamfordparts.com wants about $100 per retractor.

Does anybody know of any other sources where I might be able to find NEW retractors for a bit less?

 

[GDTrumbo]

Keep searching. Somewhere I spotted them for $76 each. Can't remember to save me where.

Until then, to temporarily improve what you have, a Ford tech told me the best thing that can be done is to fully extend the belt all the way out and let it fully retract. There is no lubrication problem. Just weak return springs.

GT

 

[wmburns]

Could your problem be the "slow seat belt retraction" problem that many Fords have? Ford TSB 05-16-11 describes the problem. You will need Ford part number YR3Z-63611D70-AA for the Mustang. It is a kit with Teflon tape to improve the retraction speed of the seat belt. Common problem with many Fords. However, check the build date of your car. This TSB may not apply. Good luck.

>>Excerpts from TSB 05-16-11 dated 08/22/05
SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED

FORD:
2000-2003 Mustang
2000-2006 Crown Victoria, Taurus
2000-2003 Explorer Sport, Windstar
2000-2005 Excursion, Explorer
2000-2006 E-Series, Expedition, F-150,
F-Super Duty, Ranger
2001-2005 Explorer Sport Trac
2001-2006 Escape
2004-2006 Freestar
2005-2006 Escape Hybrid
2004-2006 F-650, F-750

LINCOLN:
2000-2002 Continental
2000-2006 LS, Town Car, Navigator
2003-2005 Aviator

MERCURY:
2000-2005 Sable
2000-2006 Grand Marquis
2000-2005 Mountaineer
2004-2006 Monterey
2005-2006 Mariner

^ MUSTANG: Only install on vehicles built through 6/15/2003. Teflon tape was already installed on vehicles built on/after 6/16/2003.
<<

 

[IIGood]

Could your problem be the "slow seat belt retraction" problem that many Fords have? Ford TSB 05-16-11 describes the problem. You will need Ford part number YR3Z-63611D70-AA for the Mustang. It is a kit with Teflon tape to improve the retraction speed of the seat belt. Common problem with many Fords. However, check the build date of your car. This TSB may not apply. Good luck.

Thanks, this *could* apply...my '03 GT was built in late 2002, October/November I believe. My driver's side belt is slow to retract but the passenger side doesn't retract at all anymore...it's a fairly recent development. It used to retract but now it just won't. It'll just hang there and there have been a few instances where it's hanging out the door...my girlfriend doesn't quite realize it so she'll just leave the belt hang when she gets out of the car.

And I almost think I'd want the shop to replace them instead of doing it myself...I looked up the procedure for removal/installation...ugh.

 

[IIGood]

Keep searching. Somewhere I spotted them for $76 each. Can't remember to save me where.

Until then, to temporarily improve what you have, a Ford tech told me the best thing that can be done is to fully extend the belt all the way out and let it fully retract. There is no lubrication problem. Just weak return springs.

GT

$76...not bad. I'll see if I can do some digging. The body shop said the same thing; the springs just tend to wear out over time and that was my assumption as well. But 6 years...dang. The belts in my dad's '95 Windstar still work without an issue...