Seatbelt buckle removal

[ukty]

The Ty passenger footwell's been filling up with water over winter, so I'm getting the carpets out to dry everything properly. The seatbelt buckles need removing but the plastic covers are a pain to get off. Before I pry the the crosshead screw style covers off and damage something, is there a recommended method for getting these off?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Don W.]

Re: Seatbelt buckle removal

Door side? That whole thing is held down by a torx bolt. Access is under the plastic piece that runs the length of door sill. Don't know about the inside one.

 

[e95 Ty]

Re: Seatbelt buckle removal

I'm sure there's a correct way to remove those damn plastic covers, but I just very carefully pry them out with a flathead screwdriver..

 

[canadian]

Re: Seatbelt buckle removal

Door side you need to remove the plastic sill plate with the phillips head screws. Then the base of the seat belt is held on with a big Torx screw. Inside piece next to the console should have a hole in the plastic cover that allows easy access to the big Torx screw. Might be easier to take the seats out first.

 

[e95 Ty]

Re: Seatbelt buckle removal

For those of you that have had not the pleasure of seeing a unmolested truck, I believe he's asking about removing the round plastic covers that are on the inside (latch side) of the seatbelt assembly, they cover the T47 torx bolt..

 

[ukty]

Re: Seatbelt buckle removal

Guys,
Thanks for your feedback. The seats are out of the truck, and it's the latch side by the console that I'm interested in. e95 Ty, looks like I'll being using your flathead screwdriver method, carefully! Plan to have the job done tomorrow.
Mark

 

[canadian]

Re: Seatbelt buckle removal

Ahh, I had no idea that there were supposed to be covers on those.

 

[ukty]

Re: Seatbelt buckle removal

Buckles are now out, as are the carpets which are drying out in the kitchen. Next job, find out where the heck the water's coming in from.

 

[e95 Ty]

Re: Seatbelt buckle removal

Buckles are now out, as are the carpets which are drying out in the kitchen. Next job, find out where the heck the water's coming in from.

My bet is the windshield...

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Seatbelt buckle removal

Kick panel vents may be blocked. Look for leaves in the run channel . There are lots of threads on here with similar problems.

My inner fender had hidden a patch from the engine bay into the cabin. On removal, there was a small patch of rust that was allowing water ingress. Worth considering. I sealed the interior and have yet to weld up the patch. I need to get on that as I am worried it will get worse. It's indoors at least.

Hope it's not too much of a pain to track down.

 

[stlSY]

Re: Seatbelt buckle removal

I know its a bit late but this is a great tool to have when working on interior panels.

http://www.power-tec.co.uk/item.aspx?cat=824&item=7481

I do car audio and this tool will get 95% of the interior panels loose without damage. We get ours fron the matco tool guy. When I have very small gaps like on the covers you were removing I have a set of clay sculpting tools that have thin flat ends that are rounded and curved. Much gentler than a flat head screwdriver.

 

[canadian]

Re: Seatbelt buckle removal

I know its a bit late but this is a great tool to have when working on interior panels.

http://www.power-tec.co.uk/item.aspx?cat=824&item=7481

I do car audio and this tool will get 95% of the interior panels loose without damage. We get ours fron the matco tool guy. When I have very small gaps like on the covers you were removing I have a set of clay sculpting tools that have thin flat ends that are rounded and curved. Much gentler than a flat head screwdriver.

Or you can buy a whole set from Harbor Freight

 

[stlSY]

Re: Seatbelt buckle removal

The Harbor Freight ones aren't bad but the Easy Pry wedge is my go to 95% of the time. The only thing it doesn't do well is pull out push pins. It is also soft enough to not mar a lot of the butter soft dash boards out there. We have a few sets in the style you mentioned in several different hardnesses. Unfortunately the non mar ones are too soft to get decent leverage with and get chewed up quickly.

 

[stlSY]

Re: Seatbelt buckle removal

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/steiderstudios/2438799/metal_sculpting_tools_for_working_with_glass_paste_or_glass_clay/supplies/tools/glass_art

These are the clay tools I use. Great for those covers on the seat belts. They are flat and easy to get into the groove without being sharp enough to damage them. Also good for separating the case on many things like rear view mirrors.