Seat belt posts wont allow belt to buckle in

loyaj · Post by **loyaj** » 06 Jan 2007, 16:34

Okay, this is my first post. As short and sweet as I can. Any help will be appreciated...

Regarding our 1998 V70 XC, 105,000 miles

About two months ago a rock was thrown at the rear drivers side passenger window while parked one starry night on our street, glass everywhere, $180 window replacement and twenty minutes of vacuuming. Now our problem is that the two seat belt posts near this same window have mysteriously stopped buckling the belt, the clasps go in but don't click and basically just pop right back out.

So, I want to crack the buckles open or take them out and try to inspect to find the problem but have some concerns about messing with the restraint system.

Thanks,
Two buckles short in Bellingham, loyaj

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 06 Jan 2007, 17:45

This is the first I've heard of this problem, especially from a broken window. Do you think some glass got in the seatbelt receptacle? Anyway, I had a broken clasp in our old 850 (front seat) and it wouldn't catch. The only solution was to unbolt it from the floor and replace the entire belt- from the floor bolt to the receptacle. There is also a wire in there to activate the pre-tensioner in the seatbelt (locks it up if you're in an accident) that disconnects with a quick release connector, so I recall that they had to disconnect the battery while working on this to keep the SRS light from coming on (dealer only reset).

My suggestion is to find someone who is parting out a V or XC70 for your model year and see if he has a set of seatbelts (the section you need). Or...take the seatbelt receptacle and shake like crazy to see if there is a small bit of loose glass in there that may come tumbling out.

CarVolvo · Post by **CarVolvo** » 06 Jan 2007, 18:13

I agree with MIJ that most likely some glass has got caught in the gearing on the side of the belt mechanism. Its easy to lossen it and double check it. Pull the belt completely out and ensure nothing is jamming it up!

I have some belts from an 850 which might fit..but you would have to check the colour etc.

loyaj · Post by **loyaj** » 06 Jan 2007, 22:44

Of course I forgot to include that the window incident and glass everywhere and then into the buckle slot is what I think is causing the problem. Especially because two buckles probably don't stop working within hours of each other and because we don't carry pax in the back much...the problem was not identified until quite a bit after the incident.

Based on the above and your responses, I am close to convinced that there is something down in there that isn't readily visible. I think I will take it all in steps: flashlight, maybe a strong vacuum, then if need be take them out give a shake crack open and then grit my teeth as I try to find some replacements.

Thank you very much for the advice.
-jacob