A new seat belt assembly will cost about $220 + labor. There is an explosive in the ratchet part, it locks the belt in a collision.

It is border line illegal to install a used one or one from a different model & year.

 

Interesting statement there, donbrew......

Brings to mind my nephew, who has a Cooper Mini. He installed a 5 point system (yeah, I know) and while hot dogging he was stopped by a Michigan Trooper. Admitted he didn't have an accurate pace but warned him about "in and out" of traffic in various lanes. Cited him for the 5 point belt system because it did not comply with "recognized" highway safety standards, established for the vehicle.

 

This just worked for me, thanks eaglefreak138!!

 

pstar: you posted..... "extended the belt with a small piece of cable down to the pillar bolt" - from that I gather you have modified your seat belt mounting system, with the reasoning that the belt is "just a few inches too short"?

No, it isn't too short - it seems there is a problem with the ratcheting system, which I expect means it needs a replacement. Lengthening the belt with a cable down to the pillar bolt is not a viable nor recommended fix.

Your suggested fix has been deleted - the forum cannot condone a procedure that circumvents any of the safety features such as this.

 

After the seat belts deploy the ratchet stops working because the explosive cartridge blows up and must be replaced.

 

Just had this problem and lowered the height of the belt by pushing in the button on the pillar attachment as was suggested in the thread. Bingo! the belt is free.

 

Cool - glad it worked out for you. :)