How difficult to replace seatbelt buckle on 320d?

TouchingVirus · 04-05-2011 02:58PM #1

A friend of mine has an '03 320d E46 but the passenger seatbelt buckle isn't working; it doesn't click when you put in the belt. Obviously it needs to be repaired, but from what I can see it's a sealed unit and I wouldn't be too sure about servicing anything inside it.

I found the part number required (72119119551) and got some quotes but it's €145 including VAT for just the part. I'm thinking it might be better to get one from a spare parts yard to save some money too but that still leaving fitting - Any idea how difficult it would be to fit?

colm_mcm · 04-05-2011 04:26PM

I think I'd be right in saying you'd have to replace the tensioner too. Don't know how happy you'd be about using one from a scrapper in your car.

Owen · 04-05-2011 07:17PM

You really need a new one. The tensioner is a pyrotechnically charged device that goes off with your airbags, don't trust a second hand one any more than you'd trust a second hand airbag.

Fitting it is simple, but you need to disconnect your battery and then take the positive battery cable and ground it before doing so. Two reasons, once to make sure the airbag light won't come on by disconnecting the tensioner, and secondly to make sure there's no residual current in any of the systems that might accidentally set off the charge.

Slidey · 04-05-2011 11:37PM

It may just be something that has fallen into the catch and is stopping the tab going all the way home

TouchingVirus · 05-05-2011 03:35PM

Thanks guys, read up a bit around it and found out that the pretensioner is a part of the unit. Wouldn't trust a second hand one myself, will say it to the guy. Perhaps it's better to shell out for the new part and fit it ourselves rather than go the route of second hand. When it comes to safety it's money well spent - she's no slouch on the road and it could be me in the passenger seat

PaintDoctor, could you go into a little more detail if you can? I was gonna disconnect the battery myself anyways - can never be too careful. But just will I have to remove the seat? Centre console? etc. Is a haynes manual required? Any special tools? Just so he has a rough idea

Slidey - I couldn't see anything in the catch myself, can give it a better look once I find out how difficult a job it'll be to remove it

Owen · 05-05-2011 05:58PM

Just the seat needs to come out. You'll need IIRC t40 t45 and t50 Torx wrenches

How difficult to replace seatbelt buckle on 320d?

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