So I've seen more than a few threads about seatbelt problems..

My seatbelt is extremely annoying on my 04 Z. It ALWAYS locks and won't let me pull it down to buckle myself in. It takes minutes of fighting with it just to get it to come down. And then when I'm driving, it stays locked as if I was braking hard. It makes it impossible for me to look over my shoulder and lean forward. Sometimes I can't even put my seatbelt on because of how difficult it is.

Any help?
Thanks

 

Are you just pulling it too fast? Try to go slow and see what happens.

FYI seatbelts and seatbelt mechanisms are warrantied 10 years/unlimited miles on any car in the US.

 

crazy to think that some 350z's are now older than 10yrs ( sold late 2002 right?)
sounds like mechanical failure and needs replacement.

 

It's probably time for a new auto tensioner. They're not that difficult to get to. You might be able to rebuild it, but I wouldn't risk my safety on it.

 

I pull it every possible way you could pull it and it won't work correctly. It's an 04 but I bought it used.. Can I still go to the local nissan and have it fixed for free?

 

I can't see them not fixing it.

Yes stealerships are usually messed up, but when it comes to safety, they will fix it. Not because they care about you, but because they don't want to get sued if something were to happen.

I would go to the stealership with your warranty booklet or owner's manual handy with the section showing seatbelt warranties. Only concern I have is when the car was first sold. Although it is an 04, it could have been sold in the end of 03, and you might be over 10 years.

Either way it has to be fixed, whether Nissan pays for it or you pay for it. Safety is priority when it comes to cars. It's funny because I laugh when people put replica seats or harnesses with the stock seat, etc, because yea, it may look nice, but it can also kill when when the stock system would have saved you.

 

If your seatbelt is malfunctioning, Nissan will pay for the repair/replacement. You don't even need to go to a Nissan dealership; you do need a work authorization, which the repair shop can get for you.

SQuaLZ provides a good suggestion. Be sure to place slow pressure on the belt. That prevents the tensioning mechanism from locking.