Community Forums

akeyzoo · 06-18-2013, 10:17 AM

Folks,
Have a new to me 2005 American Revolution LE 40J, Spartan Liberty Chassis.

The passenger side seatbelt does not pull out cleanly and you have to play the game of jiggling to get it to fully extend as it constantly "locks". We have all experienced this in some car in our life, and for my wife's seat, I have to fix this! It is especially "amusing" to her when she has to reach for the vent only to be rejected by a locked seatbelt!

I took the mechanism off thinking I could clean it, but it is not "openable" without destructive force to the plastic housing. Anyone have any experience resolving this short of me calling Fleetwood and paying likely a kings ransom for a new belt tensioner.

Every thread needs a pic! My kids and I just detailed her ;-)

Chris

Skip426 · 06-18-2013, 10:29 AM

Don't know for sure on your model, but most shoulder belts the lock is performed by a combination of rapid extension and a pendulum mechanism . there can be a contaminant in the works so if you have the unit out blow through the unit with compressed air, with the belt fully extended, use silicone spray on the belt it's self, and when re-mounting make sure the retractor is square to the floor, if that's the way it mounts.
If the retractor is designed to be mounted straight up and the carpet is tilting the unit then the pendulum lock gets touchy.

akeyzoo · 06-18-2013, 10:37 AM

Skip,
Great advice. I confirmed the unit is mounted square vertically, which I assume it should be (as is the perfectly functional drivers side). I am not sure I can effectively blow it our or inspect the internals without "fudging up" the inner plastic housing.

Chris

Gary RVRoamer · 06-18-2013, 04:01 PM

Check with American Coach Parts - the price may not be as stiff as you think. It seems like it would be a common-use part and those often aren't real expensive.

Or try a RV salvage yard.

Skip426 · 06-21-2013, 11:13 PM

Just saw a new post with a link to a seat belt supplier , good prices if you can't get yours working.
I'll try and copy the link over.
And of course I can't

OK you can look it up.
Alpine Coach Forums
Front Seat Belts
By Tom and Patty

akeyzoo · 06-24-2013, 09:35 AM

Great link Skip. Interestingly enough, Fleetwood/American indicated the belt costs 71 through them, approximately the same cost. I may just go that route since it will be a like part (and I have a few other items to order).