Automatic Seat Belt Fix.

[Jeremy]

I have noticed some talk about the automatic seatbelts failing. My '89 turbo's seatbelt had failed, aka the strap locked up. The Mechanics told me it couldn’t be fixed and would have to be replaced and I couldn't find a used one. I contacted the official Saab dealership out here in Syracuse and was quoted something around $289 USD for the part.

I figured I had nothing to loose by taking a look at the device myself. I found a small coin sized cap in the middle of the plastic housing; I popped that out and was able to feel around. I was able to rewind the seatbelt but that didn’t work. Back to my original principle of “nothing to loose” I sprayed wd-40 up into the metal areas then pounded on the assembly with a hammer, much like you would for a stuck bolt. Reached around and pulled the seatbelt up and out… it was unstuck! From what I can tell it still latches when it should (tested that with sporadic braking on a country road).

Of course you should only mess with this at your own risk. I have been driving around for about 2 weeks with out any problems, every so often I will test it.

Hope this may help some people.

--Jeremy

[WSAABI]

On my last 900 there were auto seat belts. Changing them for manual was the best thing I ever did for that car. Although seeing the passenger surprised by the belt's attempt to choke them has its humorous side, it caused many of my friends to decline rides They completely failed before the swap and I was forced to use those track clip-in pieces for a few months. No fun.

wsaabi

[yfs87]

i know man...the occasional "what the f&#*" and "what the h3ll is this?" is so humorous. i am going to convert my auto to manual seatbelts when i do the headlining, which will be soon. 8)

-wyeth