Flex AWD V6-3.5L (2009)
Seat Belt Buckle: Description and Operation
Safety Belt System
WARNING: After any crash, all of the following safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware must be inspected by an authorized dealer to
verify correct function:
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Retractors
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Buckles
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Belt tension sensor (BTS) (if equipped)
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Front safety belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if equipped)
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Safety belt shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped)
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Child safety seat tether bracket assemblies
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Automatic locking retractor (ALR) feature for child safety seats (passenger seating positions only)
If any safety belt assembly is damaged, does not operate correctly or does not pass all of the Functional Tests in the Diagnosis and Testing, a
new safety belt assembly must be installed. If any safety belt assembly attaching areas are damaged or distorted, the sheet metal must be
restored to its original structural integrity and new safety belt assembly and attaching hardware must be installed. Failure to install new safety
belt assemblies and attaching hardware may increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
After any crash that results in deployment of the driver and/or front outboard passenger safety belt pretensioners, new driver and/or front
outboard passenger safety belt systems (including retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be installed. Failure to install new safety belt
systems increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
All the safety belts are continuous-loop, 3-point systems. The combination lap and shoulder belt (continuous-loop) uses a common slip tongue and
retractor.
The shoulder harness retractor is designed to let the webbing move freely in and out at all times, except during vehicle hard braking, hard cornering or an
impact of 24 km/h (15 mph) or more, when it is automatically locked by a mechanically actuated inertia sensor (Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)).
When replacing safety belt buckles and/or retractor assemblies, use only the replacement parts specified in the Ford Customer Service Division Master
Parts and Accessories Catalog.
Safety Belt Buckles
Safety belt buckle and pretensioner
The safety belt buckle and pretensioners are located on the inboard side of the seat track and is for front seat occupants.
The safety belt buckle and pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device that removes excess webbing from the safety belt system when deployed. When the
pretensioner deploys, the buckle moves downward, removing excess webbing from the lap and shoulder safety belts.
If the vehicle is involved in a crash that results in pretensioner deployment, a new safety belt buckle pretensioner must be installed.
For safety belt buckle pretensioner diagnosis and disposal information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
Second and third row safety belt buckles
The second and third row safety belt buckles are attached to the seat cushion frames and can be serviced separately. After any crash, new safety belt
systems components (including retractors and buckles) must be installed.
