[AgentKobeStang]

Good morning, I'm new here and I have a 2001 Mustang. The passenger seat belt is stuck, and I want to know if it's just twisted or needs to be replaced. Can anyone give me a step-by-step instructions on how to remove the interior panel and access the passenger seat belt rectractor? Pictures and videos are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[wmburns]

TSB 05-16-11 slow seat belt retraction

IMO there is no substitute for a professionally written manual. Well worth the $$'s invested and will recoup the investment with the 1st project.

I prefer the Chilton but Haynes is also good. Both manuals assume the reader is a home mechanic (does not assume the reader is a pro).

http://www.amazon.com/Ford-Mustang-through-Updated-Chiltons/dp/1563926490/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1306865817&sr=8-5

OBTW, slow seat belt retraction is a problem with many Fords (not just Mustangs). There is a Ford TSB dealing with the problem.

>>
TSB 05-16-11
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

This article supersedes TSB 04-24-21 to update the vehicle model years.
ISSUE
A service kit is now available to improve safety belt retraction speed.

ACTION
See the part application chart and select the appropriate kit. Follow the Instruction Sheet included in the kit. Refer to Workshop Manual Section 501-20A for additional information.

NOTE TEFLON TAPE SHOULD ONLY BE USED ON THE FRONT ROW SEATS FOR VEHICLES LISTED IN THIS TSB, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE AVIATOR, EXPLORER 4DR AND THE MOUNTAINEER. TEFLON TAPE CAN ALSO BE USED ON SECOND ROW SEATS FOR THESE THREE VEHICLES.

NOTE FOR MUSTANG, AVIATOR, EXPLORER 4DR AND MOUNTAINEER, REFER TO THE FOLLOWING BUILD DATE INFORMATION BEFORE PERFORMING THIS TSB. TEFLON TAPE HAS ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED DURING PRODUCTION ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES.

^MUSTANG: Only install on vehicles built through 6/15/2003. Teflon tape was already installed on vehicles built on/after 6/16/2003.
^AVIATOR, EXPLORER 4DR/MOUNTAINEER (FRONT ROW SEATS): Only install on vehicles built through 6/24/2004. Teflon tape was already installed on vehicles built on/after 6/25/2004.
^AVIATOR, EXPLORER 4DR/MOUNTAINEER (SECOND ROW SEATS): Only install on vehicles built through 10/21/2004. Teflon tape was already installed on vehicles built on/after 10/22/2004.

 

[fastfoxowner]

I had the same problem twice with my Wife's '03. I'm not saying this is the correct way, but it worked for me and I didn't have to remove the retractor.
1) Lower the backs to both sides of your back seat. Remove the plastic rivets that run along the top of the rear seat and down the side of it. Whe you remove the top, you should see the 3 bolts holding the head rest on.
2) Remove the 3 bolts holding the head rest pad in place and remove the pad. (CAREFULL NOT TO BREAK THE BOLT MOUNTS! THEY ARE PLASTIC! I LEARNED THE HARD WAY)
3) Look for a latch to pull on both the driver's and passenger's sides of the rear seat. They should be located in the middle of each ( if you were sitting in the seat, they would be between your kee's.). The latches are hard to see. The seat bottom should lift up and out.
4) Find the two, small round rivets located just about where the seat belt is mounted above the head rest. I used a metal fork to remove these. You may have to modify it a little.
5) Pop open that little square door on the bottom of your shirt hanger just above the seat belt mount and remove the screw. You should be able to remove the 1/4 window panel. You should also be able to Move the 1/4 panel (plastic that the seat belt enters to go to the retractor).
6) Try feeding the belt into the retractor until you are able to pull it all the way back out and untangle it. ( You'll have to use some muscle here. ) It doesn't always need to be replaced. Once you get it working again, just reverse the steps and your done!

I've listed these steps to the best of my memory. It's been months since I've done this and could be wrong somewhere, but it should get you on the right track. Good luck!:bigthumbsup

 

[AgentKobeStang]

thanks for the advice. can you post pics? hehe

 

[fastfoxowner]

thanks for the advice. can you post pics? hehe

Sorry, I don't have any pic's as of right now. I'll be off Friday and I'll try to get you some uploaded if someone else hasn't posted any by then.