91EGT Seatbelt Problems

[Mr. Chips]

My Driver's side setbelt seems to get stuck in the track a lot when I open the door to get out. Also when I want to get in, it is very slow to engage and moves slowly along the track, as opposed to the fast-moving passenger side.
At the advice of a local Scort owner I squirted in some grease. However, I noticed hardly any difference, if any at all.
If I do need to go taking things apart... is it easy or a pain to do?

[Mr. Chips]

bump.
would someone help me out here?

[tacarp]

Mr. Chips, count your lucky stars that it is still working at all. Mine quit 3 yrs ago. I would not suggest trying to do anything more than what you have. If a little lube does not do the trick, it's probably more than you can fix. I tried some self maintenence and screwed it up even worse. These retractable belts on the escort are notorious pieces of crap. I eventually locked my belts in the closed position and disconnected the wire harness under the drivers seat that controls belt operation. I now have to pull the belt over my head or make the impossible stretch over the shoulder to connect/disconnect the belt.

The track assembly goes for about $200 each. You can find it at this website: http://www.parts.com/partlocator/ind...91&catalogid=2

If it doesnt work, select "collision" for parts type, put your car data in, and look on the left side under restraint systems.

Good Luck!

[Mr. Chips]

thanks man, I've been waiting a while for that response!

I have however, pretty much come to this conclusion:
Ford basically put these seatbelt systems in to sell cars, or to please whoever was pushing the idea of "forced buckling" at that time. So once you take the car off the lot, they really couldn't care if it stopped in the track, their only concern was whether it would restrain you, which it still would, so long as you disable the mechanism, in it's fully back position. You can see a lot of these cheap plastic parts all over ford vehicles. This perticular Escort generation seems to have crappy PLASTIC glove box hinges, crappy easily broken air vents, easily busted ash tray etc. At least it's mechanically sound. The only mechanical complaint I have (I still love my car nonetheless) is their is this flex exhaust pipe which will deteriorate at the mesh. This must be a common fault. (many of them at the junkhard have the same thing!)
I understand some say it is better idea to either do what you did.
What I think I'll do is go buy one of the old-style belts, I prefer them oven though the passenger side belt stil works.
BTW, how come they weren't recalled?