I thought this was only my car, but the wife's does the same thing - the drivers side seatbelts retract reluctantly, which isn't particularly safe.

So, I'm looking for two driver's side seatbelts, complete.

I've searched the forum and found a mention of pre-tensioners on MY99s - is that right, or are the seatbelts a standard part which I can get new without much hassle?

I'm also in the same boat. Is there anyone locally who can fix the pretensioners on these?

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MY00 WRX. 89 Prelude. 99 CRV

Try these guys, assuming still going - but they sorted mine out a few years back.

A.U.S.
Unit A, 93 Leach Highway
Kewdale
Ph: 9353 3934

Those guys are licensed seatbelt re-webbing & repair.

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meh

Thanks for the info.

(By pretensioners I meant some kind of electronic triggering gadget which goes off in an accident, rather than the usual spring which just retracts the belt. Something which means the belts have to be specific to the Subaru rather than standard parts from Repco or wherever.)

I actually have a brand new seatbelt in the packaging, and while the longer tongue seems to suit the Forester the mechanism & fittings look just like the one on my WRX.

Basically trying to work out whether it's cheaper to get an off-the-shelf replacement or get these tensioned up.

Back in my HJ Kingswood days it was take it to bits and have at it with a screw driver, but not on a modern car in a modern litigious age.

Subaru quoted me over $400 (+gst) for a new one, and aside from the price I'm reluctant because I can see them going the same way as the originals in a few years.

Just phoned the seatbelt repair guys which sounds like a much cheaper option, although they have to re-web and re-tension the originals rather than supply complete units.

Now have a call into a couple of parts places to see whether there's a suitable after-market replacement from Klippan. Can't find any reference online but will let you know how it goes.

Talk to MMS since they take OEM seatbelts out of cars whenever they build a rally car...they may have some stashed away.

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No Subarus currently owned

You may be right. Looking at the part number here:

http://opposedforces.com/parts/info/64619FA701MU/

It shows 99/00 then 01-November and later. If they kept the same bit through various models there's a much better chance of picking one up. Maybe with a spring which actually retracts the belt properly.

Just waiting for a call and will then try MMS.

Okay, that was interesting. I just happened to inspect the upper plastic hanger which the belt feeds through, the one which moves up and down when you adjust the height across your shoulder (or neck, if you're short)

Anyway, I found the lower part of the slot packed with a build-up of dirt so I scraped & cleaned it off and the belt now moves smoothly, just like it did when new. No tensioning problems at all.

I'm still going to find a new belt because mine's a little bit worn & discouloured where the buckle sits when the belt is on, but short-term it seems to be fixed.