# Taking the slop out of seatbelts

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/taking-the-slop-out-of-seatbelts/62715>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** dakota, dodge\
**Created:** [March 17, 2011, 9:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/taking-the-slop-out-of-seatbelts/62715 "2011-03-17T21:50:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Yosemite](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/yosemite/32/643_2.png) [@Yosemite](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Yosemite)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 9:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/taking-the-slop-out-of-seatbelts/62715/1 "2011-03-17T21:50:53Z")

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I have a 1994 Dodge Dakota Pick-up and both of the seat belts are loosing their tention to stay snug …when not in use. This makes it a pain to have to always be sure the belt is out of the way…before closing the door. Is there some way to adjust these to take that slop out.

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**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/taking-the-slop-out-of-seatbelts/62715/2 "2011-03-17T22:39:32Z")

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Hey Now, That Truck Is 17 - 18 Years Old. That’s A Senior Citizen In Truck Years. If That’s The Truck’s Most Annoying Feature Then I’d Just Try And Live With It.

Most seniors need a little helping hand and people cutting them some slack.

On a more serious note, are the retractors down at the bottom of the vehicle ? Have you pulled the trim and had a look at them ? I wonder if there’s any corrosion or dirt down there or if the springs are just getting old.

Seat belts are usually not a service item, rather they are just replaced, probably more from a liability standpoint. If it was mine, I’d have a look and maybe shoot a little non-staining clear silicone spray into the reel mechanisms with a can / straw and try that.

CSA

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**Author:** ![Yosemite](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/yosemite/32/643_2.png) [@Yosemite](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Yosemite)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 3:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/taking-the-slop-out-of-seatbelts/62715/3 "2011-03-20T15:53:23Z")

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Yep…I’m not one to get rid of a faithful vehicle, just because it’s got a bit of wear.  
Can’t watch the road go by thru the floorboards yet???

I had not taken the trim off to inspect them. They just feel like the springs are getting weak, not anything jamming the retraction.  
I thought that I’d ask before pulling it apart and finding there was nothing to do to adjust them.

I think I will pull the trim and use your sugestion and lube them anyway.

Thanks for the response.

Yosemite