Seat Belt Pretensioner Repair
The belt tensioner is a vital component of the seat belt system. If you get into an accident in a modern car, the seat belt system keeps you safely in your seat and prevents you from being thrown forward or through the windshield. Of course, this only happens if you follow the rules and actually wear your seat belt.
If you do wear your seat belt, the seat belt system is equipped with a part called a pretensioner. The seat belt pretensioner locks the seat belt and keeps it tight in the event of an accident. How belt tensioners work
When a car is in an accident, it decelerates very suddenly. Your vehicle has sensors that detect this sudden deceleration. When this happens, the pretensioner ignites a small charge that moves a hidden piston in the seatbelt system. This charge is similar to the charge contained in the airbag itself.
The pretensioner piston then quickly spins a spool, retracting the seatbelt (or webbing). This entire process happens in just a few seconds. The seat belt loses almost all tension and cannot move.
Under this belt, the driver and passenger stay safely in their seats during a crash while the airbag system deploys the airbag in front of them. The seat belt and airbag system work together to protect all front seat occupants. If you are not wearing your seat belt during an accident, you cannot rely on the airbag.
Staying strapped in your seat will position your body directly in front of the airbag, reducing the impact to your body as much as possible.
Belt tensioner replacement cost
We recommend Parts Geek for the best prices and selection. Parts of the Airbag System
You will need to replace the seatbelt pretensioner after every accident. Seatbelt pretensioners are not very expensive, especially if you replace them yourself. It is one of the few parts of the airbag system that does not require a professional mechanic.
The cost of replacing a seatbelt pretensioner is about $300 to $350. The cost of parts is about $100-150, and labor is about $150-250. You may be able to cut down on labor costs if you find a cheap enough mechanic in your area or enlist the help of a friend who likes working on cars.
Alternatively, there are many workshops across the country that specialize in repairing seat belt pretensioners. Just send us your used pretensioner and we will reassemble it and send it back to you. Repairing or rebuilding the device can save you some money. If you choose to go this route, be careful: seatbelt pretensioners are safety items just like airbags and seatbelts, and you need to make sure your seatbelt pretensioners are in proper repair if you plan to use them again.
