How to Fix Seat Belt Buckle In The Most Convenient Way
Nothing is perfect in this world. When it comes to seat belts – a big component of car safety, it is not uncommon to see a stuck seat belt buckle. Well, when that happens, neither do you need to pull at it frantically, nor replace it right away. It is one of those car problems that you can fix yourself. You can learn how to fix seat belt buckle in more than one convenient way.
Car Seat Belt Buckle: The Role & How It Works
When it comes to the safety system of your vehicle, it can’t help but mention a small but very important part, which is the car seat belt. Since the 19th century, car seat belts have been developed and have become one of the standard and mandatory parts of every car to this day.
The seat belts are structured from two main parts: belts and safety buckles. The belt includes a lap belt and the strap crossing over the shoulder (shoulder belt). The belt ends are fastened to the chassis, and attached with a latch lock for easy disassembly by passengers.
When properly fastened car seat belts, these belts distribute most of the incoming traction to parts of the body such as the ribcage, pelvis, ribs, etc., thereby reducing serious injuries. In the event of a collision, the belt will rely on a sensor that automatically tightens and holds the passenger in place, not being thrown out. Simply put, car seat belts work based on the criterion of resisting the force of inertia, distributing the force to minimize the danger. The function of the car seat belt is to keep drivers and passengers safer in dangerous situations. However, over time, this “lifesaver” can be worn or get stuck and not make sure safety for drivers when using.
How to Fix Seat Belt Buckle in 6 Simple Steps
Before you go ahead and learn the process of fixing seat belt stuck in buckle, here is what you must keep handy:
- A set of screwdrivers
- A butter knife or anything that is flat and pointy (to insert into the buckle)
Here is the step-by-step tutorial for seat belt buckle repair:
Step 1: Examine the belt
The first step in the 6 steps of how to fix seat belt buckle is to examine the belt on the surface. Extend it to full length and see if there might be something stuck on the belt, rather than on the buckle – grit, gum, cut, or anything sticky.
If that is clear, inspect the male part of the buckle to see if something is stuck there or if it is deformed. If you find something of the sort, you can fix a seat belt stuck in buckle right there by clearing it.
If the coast is clear here proceed to step 2.
Step 2: Check the female part of the buckle
The most probable cause is that something is stuck in the female part (the part where the male part of the buckle goes in) of the buckle. Take the butter knife or a similar object and insert in the female part. If there is any small obstruction, it will clear that. Try the buckle now, it will work.
In case the obstruction inside the female part is big (in most cases, a coin), proceed to step 3.
Step 3: Take off the buckle
Proceed to take the female part of the buckle off the side of the seat. Some may simply require unscrewing, while some may require you to remove the seat. Neither is difficult. Do it, and get the buckle off.
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Step 4: Open up the socket
As you take it off, you will find a socket between the edges of the buckle and the socket. Dissemble it by undoing the screws, if any, and then prying it apart with the edge of the screwdriver. In case there are none, simply pry it apart. But, make sure you are gentle because there are springs inside which can come off if you pry it apart with a jerk.
Step 5: Check the movement
Now, you will be able to see the insides of the red push button as well as the mechanism – the springs and the cam. Push the button and see what is going wrong with the springs or the cam. If there is any obstruction in the springs’ way (like a coin as we had apprehended), simply remove it. Now check if the button is working. If it is, carefully reassemble the buckle and try locking again. You should be good to go.
This is how you fix a seat belt buckle. If there is still a problem, read step 6.
Step 6: When all else fails, replace
If the cam or the springs do not move at the push of the button, odds are that the damage is permanent and replacement is the only option. You can still have a seat belt buckle repair professional take a look at it, but chances are that you will have to replace it.
We hope that it will be easier for you to how to fix a seat belt buckle that won’t latch now.
