P38a 4.6 1999 100k Both front seatbelt catches do not 'catch' very well. When pressing the release button, it feels slack.

Occasionally, the catch (especially the passenger side) let's go.

I can buy replacements from breakers, but if this is a common problem, the replacements might not be much better.

Does anyone have experience of fixing this issue?

Plan to take them off and have a look.
 
When mine did this I replaced with new cos if they dont work when you REALL REALLY want them to could be too late for to take them back
 
contact cleaner/ grease may work...the buckles are sealed in a plastic casing, so you will have to break the casing to get in. I repair most things, but given this is a safety item and when I did crack it open it did not look an obvious fix then I bought one off a breaker. RHF are very rare : o), and even 2nd hand they are not cheap
 
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contact cleaner/ grease may work...the buckles are sealed in a plastic casing, so you will have to break the casing to get in. I repair most things, but given this is a saftey item and when I did crack it open ot did not look an obvious fix then I bought one off a breaker. RHF are very rare : o), and even 2nd hand they are not cheap
Contact cleaner/lubricant seems to work, I used Servisol.
 
As I can feel the latch is not positive, I will clean, grease and retry. If they don't feel vastly improved, then they will need replacing.
They have less than 100k on them but the passengers is worse than the driver.

Whist safety is important, if I was looking to blow hundreds on safety parts, it would be the brake pump and associated electrics that I go for first. I certainly don't drive this car for a feeling of safety:) .

I was going t buy some used ones and try my luck. But most scrappers seem to be selling left and right as the same. Romanrob, how do you tell the difference?
 
As I can feel the latch is not positive, I will clean, grease and retry. If they don't feel vastly improved, then they will need replacing.
They have less than 100k on them but the passengers is worse than the driver.

Whist safety is important, if I was looking to blow hundreds on safety parts, it would be the brake pump and associated electrics that I go for first. I certainly don't drive this car for a feeling of safety:) .

I was going t buy some used ones and try my luck. But most scrappers seem to be selling left and right as the same. Romanrob, how do you tell the difference?
I think left and right front are the same. I freed mine off with a wash out using Servisol followed by some 3 in 1.
 
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As I can feel the latch is not positive, I will clean, grease and retry. If they don't feel vastly improved, then they will need replacing.
They have less than 100k on them but the passengers is worse than the driver.

Whist safety is important, if I was looking to blow hundreds on safety parts, it would be the brake pump and associated electrics that I go for first. I certainly don't drive this car for a feeling of safety:) .

I was going t buy some used ones and try my luck. But most scrappers seem to be selling left and right as the same. Romanrob, how do you tell the difference?[/QUOTE
They have a sticker on for R/L...but as for the real difference that is a very good question... Possibly only a piece at the bottom that shields the floor bolt, but that cd easily be switched
 

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