Outer Rear Seat Belts Difficult to Fasten
| Subject: | Outer Rear Seat Belts Difficult to Fasten (Install Rear Seat Belt Plastic Sleeve; Install Rear Seat Belt Assembly -- Retractor Side) |
| Models: | 1997-99 Buick LeSabre |
| 1997-99 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight, LSS, Regency |
| 1997-99 Pontiac Bonneville |
This bulletin is being revised to add the 1998-99 model years, update part numbers, service procedure operations and labor operation codes. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 73-16-15 (Section 10 -- Body)
Condition
Some customers may comment that the outer rear seat belts are difficult to fasten.
Cause
Refer to Cause #1 for vehicles built (WITHOUT slotted seats) PRIOR to the following VIN Breakpoints:
Year/Model | VIN Breakpoint |
|---|---|
1997 Buick LeSabre | VH601436 |
1997 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight, LSS, Regency | V4860599 |
1997 Pontiac Sunfire | V4200007 (Orion Plant) VH268450 (Buick City) |
Refer to Cause #2 for vehicles built (WITH slotted seats) AFTER the following VIN Breakpoints:
Year/Model | VIN Breakpoint |
|---|---|
1997 Buick LeSabre | VH600929 |
1997 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight, LSS, Regency | V4860590 |
1997 Pontiac Sunfire | V4200006 (Orion Plant) VH268170 (Buick City) |
The VIN numbers of the above 1997 vehicles overlap because these vehicles were built with a combination of rear seats with and without slots.
Refer to Cause #2 for the following vehicles:
Year/Model | |
|---|---|
1998-99 Buick LeSabre | |
1998-99 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight, LSS, Regency | |
1998-99 Pontiac Bonneville |
Cause #1
This condition may be due to the buckle portion of the rear center seat belt slipping down between the seat back and the seat cushion.
Correction #1
Install the rear seat belt plastic sleeve on the webbing of the rear seat center belt (buckle side).
- Remove the rear seat cushion. Refer to the Seats and Carpet section of the Service Manual.
- Remove the rear center seat belt (buckle side) nut from the mounting stud on the floor pan.
- Remove the rear center seat belt (buckle side) tab from the mounting stud.
- Attach the plastic sleeve, P/N 25675181 (2 per package), to the underside of the rear center seat belt (buckle side) webbing. See Figure 1. Ensure that the webbing is fully engaged in the slot by pulling on the webbing so that it covers the full width of the slot.
- Install the rear center seat belt (buckle side) tab over the mounting stud on the floor pan.
- Install the rear center seat belt (buckle side) nut on the mounting stud.
- Install the rear seat cushion. Refer to the Seats and Carpet section of the Service Manual.
- If the condition still exists, go to Step 9.
- Install the rear seat belt assembly (retractor side).
Tighten
Tighten the rear center seat belt (buckle side) nut to 40 N·m
(30 lb ft).
Use the replacement part numbers below for vehicles built WITHOUT slotted seats. Refer to the Seat Belts section of the Service Manual.
Parts Information
1997 1st Design Part Numbers | ||
|---|---|---|
P/N | Color | RPO Code |
12457373 | Graphite | 12l |
12457374 | Gray Medium | 17l |
12457377 | Toreador Red | 51l |
12457378 | Neutral Light | 52l |
12457379 | Neutral Medium | 56l |
12457380 | Very Dark Gray | 93l |
12457375 | Dark Blue Adriatic | 30l |
12457376 | Dark Teal | 37l |
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
Cause #2
This condition may be due to the length of the outer rear seat belt (retractor side) not being long enough.
Correction #2
The length of the webbing in the outer rear seat belt assembly was increased 127 mm (5 in) in order to allow for ease of latching.
| • | Use the replacement part numbers below for vehicles built WITH slotted seats. |
| • | Refer to the Seat Belts section of the Service Manual. |
Parts Information
1997 2nd Design Part Numbers | ||
|---|---|---|
P/N | Color | RPO Code |
12455812 | Graphite | 12l |
12455813 | Gray Medium | 17l |
12455814 | Regal Blue | 27l |
12455815 | Toreador Red | 51l |
12455816 | Neutral Light | 52l |
12455817 | Neutral Medium | 56l |
12455818 | Light Oak | 65l |
|
12455819 | Medium Dark Oak | 67l |
12455820 | Very Dark Gray | 93l |
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
Warranty Information
Use the following information for vehicles repaired under warranty:
Labor Operation | Description | Labor Time |
|---|---|---|
C9200 | Belt, Safety Rear (Retractor Side) RH - Replace | Use published labor operation time |
C9201 | Belt, Safety Rear (Retractor Side) LH - Replace | |
C9205 | Belt, Safety Rear (Retractor Side) Both - Replace | |
C9206 | Belt, Safety Rear Ctr (Buckle Side) - Replace | |
Add | To Install Plastic Sleeve (Authorization Required) | 0.2 hr |
