Hello new guy here. My kid got stuck in seatbelt, cut him out. Now what?

[southtexastahoe1]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and want to thank everyone in advance for any help. Long story short- my wife has a 2015 Tahoe LT with 2nd row captain chairs. My kid was in his booster on passenger side and somehow got tangled up in the seat belt, which wouldn't release tension. My BIL was there, and is very handy. He ended up cutting him out (cut near the bottom bolt) since he couldn't get that bottom bolt backed out. I looked tonight and it's a star drive looking setup.

1) Is this easy to DIY replace to ensure it's safe and functions as designed?

2) Can I buy only the seat belt and reattach it, or do I need to replace the entire assembly?

3) where should I buy whatever y'all suggest?

Thanks again for the help!

 

[Parthery]

Seat Belts are under warranty for either 6 or 7 years. I'd be headed to the dealer to find out why it happened and to get the belt replaced.

 

[2011SSVHOE]

check the dealer, I think they are more inclined to replace the safety belt then to be looking at litigation should something happen later. just my 2 cents

 

[DenaliEd]

I agree, talk to your dealer.

 

[06 Yukon XL]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and want to thank everyone in advance for any help. Long story short- my wife has a 2015 Tahoe LT with 2nd row captain chairs. My kid was in his booster on passenger side and somehow got tangled up in the seat belt, which wouldn't release tension. My BIL was there, and is very handy. He ended up cutting him out (cut near the bottom bolt) since he couldn't get that bottom bolt backed out. I looked tonight and it's a star drive looking setup.

1) Is this easy to DIY replace to ensure it's safe and functions as designed?

2) Can I buy only the seat belt and reattach it, or do I need to replace the entire assembly?

3) where should I buy whatever y'all suggest?

Thanks again for the help!

You need a Torkx bit for the fastener. I would go to a wrecking yards for a replacement seat belt.

 

[DenaliEd]

You need a Torkx bit for the fastener. I would go to a wrecking yards for a replacement seat belt.

I doubt he's going to find many 2014+ K2Y's in local wrecking yards. If he's still under 3/36 he should talk to the dealer. If not, a place like www.gmpartsoutlet.com will be a good resource, they show all the parts in the exploded diagram based on your vehicle.

 

[Kenny D]

Seeing that the buckle wouldn't release and the seat belt was locked in tension, I would call that a defective seat belt. There is no other way to get out other than cutting the belt. What if the vehicle was on fire?? You may have to bump heads with your dealer but make this point perfectly clear. They should replace it because it is clearly defective. Even under tension lock and even at the end of stroke, the buckle should have released when pressed.

 

[Jason_S]

Seatbeltplanet.com

Did you just cut the webbing and the mechanism is ok. Then, they can re-web the seatbelt for probably less than a replacement. They do quality work. They do not service, repair or restore retractor mechanisms. If you do not see what you need on their site, give them a call. I had absolutely no issues with their customer support when I ordered the wrong thing from their site. They got everything sorted for me and I was only out the shipping for the wrong product.

Why your son got stuck:. Seatbelts have a ratcheting mechanism, that if you pull it all the way out, the mechanism will engage and keep the seatbelt from being pulled back out. The mechanism releases when the seatbelt is nearly all the way back in or when tension is released.

This is a bit of a "safety" feature. Most commonly, it is used for child seats. I've also used it to hold breakable stuff in place in the seat. This feature is also good to use if you take or drive for Uber.

A previous poster is correct that it is a torx bit. If there is a pin in the center of the opening, then it's a torx security bit. The two are identical except for that pin. The cost is usually the same, so just grab the security set and be covered for both styles.

Having to replace the seatbelt sucks, but it's an easy job. I do not remember if it's required, but I use blue locktight and get the bolts tight with a standard 3/8ratchet. If it's cold where you are, go for a drive with the heater on and warm up the inside of the Tahoe. Making the plastic warmer with make it a little less brittle and less likely to break.