Front Seat Belt & Retractor: Installation

The following procedure is for replacement of a faulty or damaged front seat belt and retractor unit, which includes a seat belt tensioner for the driver side as standard equipment. Vehicles equipped with an optional passenger airbag also have a seat belt tensioner for the passenger side. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/SEAT BELT TENSIONER - DESCRIPTION) . If the seat belt or retractor is faulty or damaged, but the seat belt tensioner is not deployed, review the recommended procedures for handling non-deployed supplemental restraints. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - HANDLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTS) . If the seat belt tensioner has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for service after a supplemental restraint deployment before removing the front seat belt and retractor from the vehicle. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT) .

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the supplemental restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, during and following any seat belt service, carefully inspect all seat belts, buckles, mounting hardware, retractors, and anchors for proper installation, operation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut, frayed, or torn. Straighten any belt that is twisted. Tighten any loose fasteners. Replace any belt that has a damaged or inoperative buckle or retractor. Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch plate or anchor plate. Never attempt to repair a seat belt component. Always replace damaged or faulty seat belt components with the correct, new and unused replacement parts listed in the DaimlerChrysler Mopar Parts Catalog.

Position the front seat belt and retractor to the lower inner. See Figure. Be certain to engage the guide on the retractor into the locating notch on the B-pillar.
Install and tighten the screw that secures the front seat belt retractor to the lower inner B-pillar. Tighten the screw to 35 N.m (26 ft. lbs.).
If so equipped, reconnect the vehicle wire harness connector for the seat belt tensioner to the initiator receptacle of the retractor located on the lower inner B-pillar. The connector is a tight snap-fit into the initiator receptacle. Reconnect the connector by pressing the connector insulator straight into the initiator receptacle. You can be certain that the connector is fully engaged by listening carefully for a distinct, audible click as the connector snaps into place.
Position the front seat belt turning loop onto the height adjuster on the upper B-pillar. See Figure.
Install and tighten the nut that secures the front seat belt turning loop to the height adjuster. Tighten the nut to 35 N.m (26 ft. lbs.).
Route the front seat belt and lower anchor through the back of the height adjuster trim. See Figure.
Position the height adjuster trim to the upper B-pillar so that the driver on the back of the trim engages the lug of the height adjuster.
Reinstall the trim panel onto the inside of the B-pillar. (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/B-PILLAR TRIM - INSTALLATION) .
Position the front seat belt lower anchor to the outboard side of the seat frame. See Figure.
Install and tighten the screw that secures the front seat belt lower anchor to the outboard side of the seat frame. Tighten the screw to 35 N.m (26 ft. lbs.).
If the vehicle is so equipped, snap the plastic cover over the screw that secures the front seat belt lower anchor to the outboard side of the seat frame.
Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at this time. The supplemental restraint system verification test procedure should be performed following service of any supplemental restraint system component. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - VERIFICATION TEST) .