Are my seatbelts broken

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Apr 4, 2021 | 07:05 PM

evil_goat

Thread Starter

Seasoned Member

Joined: Jan 2021

Posts: 324

Likes: 27

From: North North California

Year: 1992 with 260k miles

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0 Inline 6

Are my seatbelts broken

I have a 1991 jeep Cherokee, and when I give the front seatbelts a sharp tug, they don't lock. The seatbelts in the back do lock. Does this mean I need to replace the retractor mechanism?

Apr 4, 2021 | 07:50 PM

lawsoncl

CF Veteran

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 4,367

Likes: 1,215

Year: 1989

Model: Comanche (MJ)

Engine: 4.0

I think the older seatbelts have a weight that swings and locks the belts? Try slamming the breaks on and see if the belt locks.

Apr 4, 2021 | 08:49 PM

BlueRidgeMark

CF Veteran

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 7,965

Likes: 964

From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia

Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0

Try it with the brake pedal depressed. If they still don't lock, yeah, time to get in there and see what's wrong. Might just need to be lubed.

Apr 4, 2021 | 08:55 PM

doublechaz

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2020

Posts: 614

Likes: 205

From: Prescott, AZ

Year: 1988

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0

If you get in there and lube, be sure not to get any lube on the belt, just the metal bits.

Apr 5, 2021 | 07:45 AM

cruiser54

::CF Moderator::

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 43,971

Likes: 1,579

From: Prescott, Az

Year: 1990

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0

Hit the brakes hard while driving

Apr 5, 2021 | 07:14 PM

evil_goat

Thread Starter

Seasoned Member

Joined: Jan 2021

Posts: 324

Likes: 27

From: North North California

Year: 1992 with 260k miles

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0 Inline 6

Ok, after a bit of poking around with the seatbelt mechanism, I found a little weight that makes the seatbelt lock when moved. I guess they are not broken after all. Phew!