ls400 driver seat belt

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

p***@gmail.com

2009-12-26 03:14:57 UTC

hello,
the driver seat belt doesn't retract correctly anymore.
I notice I have to press the unlock button on seat belt to get the
slack to be retracted. What causes this?
What should I look at replacing or cleaning?
Also, is it worth it to rebuild the power steering pump? It's been
leaking for at least a year now.
I've been putting off working on it due to easy fix (adding more power
steering fluid).
Is it better to buy a power steering pump and line from ebay or
something?
I've seen them on ebay for about $300 for both.

Thanks,
Oskar

Ray O

2009-12-26 05:15:28 UTC

Permalink

Post by p***@gmail.com
hello,
the driver seat belt doesn't retract correctly anymore.
I notice I have to press the unlock button on seat belt to get the
slack to be retracted. What causes this?
What should I look at replacing or cleaning?
Also, is it worth it to rebuild the power steering pump? It's been
leaking for at least a year now.
I've been putting off working on it due to easy fix (adding more power
steering fluid).
Is it better to buy a power steering pump and line from ebay or
something?
I've seen them on ebay for about $300 for both.
Thanks,
Oskar

Oskar,

Check the guide for the seat belt where it enters the pillar. If the belt
is frayed, some fine sandpaper on the guides will allow the belt to pass
through the guide more freely.

Where is the power steering fluid leaking? Is it leaking from the PS pump
pulley shaft seal or hose connection or rack?

--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Hillbilly Jon

2009-12-26 22:55:26 UTC

Permalink

Post by Ray O

Oskar,
Check the guide for the seat belt where it enters the pillar. If the belt
is frayed, some fine sandpaper on the guides will allow the belt to pass
through the guide more freely.
Where is the power steering fluid leaking? Is it leaking from the PS pump
pulley shaft seal or hose connection or rack?
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Also, is it worth it to rebuild the power steering pump? Oh Oskar, it
certainly is! This is a known problem with old 400's. The leak is
apparently doing no harm - until it fries your alternator. And it will
fry your alternator. Have a look under there ans see how wet and oily
it is - and that's just on the outside.

You can rebuild the pump with new seals or get a recon. The difficult
bit is undoing all the connections to the pump in the first place. But
you've got to do it. (There are tutorials on the web for the whole
process - see http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/ )

There IS a less common fault - the filter in the rack gets clogged and
causes an increase in pressure which in turn causes a leak. I'd be 95%
certain it''s the pump that needs new seals.

Enjoy.

Jon

p***@gmail.com

2009-12-27 00:00:53 UTC

Permalink

Post by Ray O

Oskar,
Check the guide for the seat belt where it enters the pillar. If the belt
is frayed, some fine sandpaper on the guides will allow the belt to pass
through the guide more freely.
Where is the power steering fluid leaking? Is it leaking from the PS pump
pulley shaft seal or hose connection or rack?
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Ray O

2009-12-27 02:38:27 UTC

Permalink

Post by Ray O

Oskar,
Check the guide for the seat belt where it enters the pillar. If the belt
is frayed, some fine sandpaper on the guides will allow the belt to pass
through the guide more freely.
Where is the power steering fluid leaking? Is it leaking from the PS pump
pulley shaft seal or hose connection or rack?
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

The belt is NOT frayed. So what does this mean?
I don't know exactly where the PS pump is leaking, just that it needs
more fluid every month or 2.
I'll take a good luck soon. Where do I get the rebuild kit? From
Lexus dealer?

Oskar

*********
A belt that is not frayed means that it is new or the pulleys that the belt
runs on are not damaged. Having a belt that is not frayed does not offer
any clues as to where the power steering fluid is leaking.

The smart thing to do is to find where the fluid is leaking before you buy
any parts. You may be able to get a rebuild kit from a Lexus dealer but
check the instructions that Hillbilly Jon posted the link for to make sure
that you don't need any special service tools like seal drivers.

--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Hillbilly Jon

2009-12-28 12:05:46 UTC

Permalink

Post by Ray O

Oskar,
Check the guide for the seat belt where it enters the pillar. If the belt
is frayed, some fine sandpaper on the guides will allow the belt to pass
through the guide more freely.
Where is the power steering fluid leaking? Is it leaking from the PS pump
pulley shaft seal or hose connection or rack?
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

The belt is NOT frayed. So what does this mean?
I don't know exactly where the PS pump is leaking, just that it needs
more fluid every month or 2.
I'll take a good luck soon. Where do I get the rebuild kit? From
Lexus dealer?
Oskar
*********
A belt that is not frayed means that it is new or the pulleys that the belt
runs on are not damaged. Having a belt that is not frayed does not offer
any clues as to where the power steering fluid is leaking.
The smart thing to do is to find where the fluid is leaking before you buy
any parts. You may be able to get a rebuild kit from a Lexus dealer but
check the instructions that Hillbilly Jon posted the link for to make sure
that you don't need any special service tools like seal drivers.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

I think that if the alternator is wet with PS fluid, the implication
is that it's the pump leaking, not the rack or high pressure hoses.
You will have trouble getting a more precise location for the leak
(s). My understanding is that on this age vehicle, it's usually the
pump seals that go. The seal kit is a Lexus part. I got mine at a
discount via the web. You need quite a well-equiped workshop to do
the job (and have enough bits around you to get away without using
special tools). As Ray O says, look at the pictures on that link.

Jon

p***@gmail.com

2009-12-31 01:11:36 UTC

Permalink

Post by Hillbilly Jon

Post by Ray O

Oskar,
Check the guide for the seat belt where it enters the pillar. If the belt
is frayed, some fine sandpaper on the guides will allow the belt to pass
through the guide more freely.
Where is the power steering fluid leaking? Is it leaking from the PS pump
pulley shaft seal or hose connection or rack?
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

The belt is NOT frayed. So what does this mean?
I don't know exactly where the PS pump is leaking, just that it needs
more fluid every month or 2.
I'll take a good luck soon. Where do I get the rebuild kit? From
Lexus dealer?
Oskar
*********
A belt that is not frayed means that it is new or the pulleys that the belt
runs on are not damaged. Having a belt that is not frayed does not offer
any clues as to where the power steering fluid is leaking.
The smart thing to do is to find where the fluid is leaking before you buy
any parts. You may be able to get a rebuild kit from a Lexus dealer but
check the instructions that Hillbilly Jon posted the link for to make sure
that you don't need any special service tools like seal drivers.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

Ray O

2009-12-31 03:56:54 UTC

Permalink

Post by Hillbilly Jon

Post by Ray O

Oskar,
Check the guide for the seat belt where it enters the pillar. If the belt
is frayed, some fine sandpaper on the guides will allow the belt to pass
through the guide more freely.
Where is the power steering fluid leaking? Is it leaking from the PS pump
pulley shaft seal or hose connection or rack?
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

The belt is NOT frayed. So what does this mean?
I don't know exactly where the PS pump is leaking, just that it needs
more fluid every month or 2.
I'll take a good luck soon. Where do I get the rebuild kit? From
Lexus dealer?
Oskar
*********
A belt that is not frayed means that it is new or the pulleys that the belt
runs on are not damaged. Having a belt that is not frayed does not offer
any clues as to where the power steering fluid is leaking.
The smart thing to do is to find where the fluid is leaking before you buy
any parts. You may be able to get a rebuild kit from a Lexus dealer but
check the instructions that Hillbilly Jon posted the link for to make sure
that you don't need any special service tools like seal drivers.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

HI,
I've seen the website on the link, it's an excellent website!
since it's holiday season, I haven't had time to get under car and get
a good look at where leak is coming from.
so for the driver seat belt, do I just get a good used driver seat
belt? Is there anything I can do to fix it without changing the belt
assy?
Thanks,
Oskar

Hi Oskar,

I apologize for my advice regarding the belt. When I posted my response, I
was thinking of the accessory drive belt for the power steering pump, not
the seat belt.

I think that the seatbelt may have an electrical tensioning device that is
released when you disconnect the seatbelt. If pressing the seatbelt release
makes a difference, take a look at the receptacle and make sure that there
is nothing gummed up or jammed in there. I think that there may also be
some kind of connection to the dome light switch in the door. Carefully
peel back the rubber boot that covers the dome light switch in the door
frame, spray the switch with WD-40, and re-install the rubber boot.

--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)