Replacing seat belt buckle on 2015 double cab

My front passenger seat belt buckle has been having issues. It won't let the seat belt tongue in without first pressing the release button all the way as you insert it. I got a quote from my local dealer to fix it, they first wanted a $149 diagnosis fee, which i declined and told them i know where the problem is. They quoted me $65 for the replacement buckle and $145 for the labor.

I know that safety is first and I would usually steer towards having a professional handle this but I really think i can buy the replacement part for $40 and fix it myself. From the looks of it I'll need to remove the center console and just unscrew the bolt holding down the buckle to replace it. the only thing i haven't completely figured out is running the airbag cable/plug under the seat. not sure if i'll need to remove the seat to lock it into place where it currently latches.

Any suggestions on going the DIY route? or should i steer clear and have a mechanic do it?

EDIT: actually watching this vid I think i can just take out the whole seat and it may be easier than i was expecting. still would like some feedback from folks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEcowYsoW-c

part: part no: 73230-AD021-B0
https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota__/Seat-Belt-Receptacle-Right--Front/63338484/73230AD021B0.html

 

I replaced my passenger buckle with a wrench and some skinned knuckles. Cheap part on Amazon, and I was in business. Indicator works and everything.

 

I’ve had the belts in/out of two Gen 1 trucks and several other vehicles over the years. This is definitely something you can do yourself. It’s easy-peasy.

A couple of suggestions: (1) Use quality tools — the bolts can be tight, and you don’t want to screw stuff up. (2) Use a torque wrench to put the belts back on so you know they’re in to original specifications. It might surprise you that the bolts aren’t tighter than they are (something like 30-35 ft-lb IIRC).

 

Unbolting the seat makes the job easier (14mm socket). The job can be done without unplugging anything from the seat. The wire harnesses attached to the seat are fairly long to allow the seat to slide backwards and forwards and that should give you enough room to easily get to that bolt for the seatbelt.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. where can i find the specifications? ask service department i assume or can i find it online?

 

For sure it's online in the FSM that I believe is a sticky in this subforum. That'll be for the 2006 model year, I think, but the torque spec won't have changed.

The inboard bolts are usually pretty easy as they're protected in the transmission tunnel. The outboard bolts, near the rocker panels, can be tricker on the older trucks 'cause that area is more susceptible to a bit of corrosion from road spray.

 

For safety stuff I’d stick with oem parts only.

 

That's what I was thinking.. Came in a toyota bag, matching part numbers. Seems legit!!

 

awesome thanks. I don't see the specs for either the seat belt buckle bolt or the seats themselves on that thread. might be worth the few $s to get the specs from Toyota.

 

Here you are. I didn't post the actual seat removal process. Just be careful of the wires.

 

To be honest, @jr49, either your searching isn't very good or you didn't really look. Perhaps it *would* be better for you to consider paying the dealer to do this.

 

Since you have a SR5, I'm assuming you have the passenger side folding seat.

 

Just blind apparently because i couldn't find that in the sticky thread. Thanks!

 

It's a big table of contents, @jr49. But worth getting to know in detail!

 

Sorry, made a wrong assumption that it was aftermarket when you said cheap part on Amazon. With all the fake stuff out there I’m getting paranoid.

 

True that!!! I think I lucked out!! Can no longer find it on Amazon... In retrospect, I should have pulled the seat, my knuckles paid the price!!

 

My drivers side seat belt started doing this yesterday. When I went to insert the latch into the buckle, a spring was jammed in the slot. After removing the spring, I was able to insert the latch but I had to press the button in first. Seems to be secure but the seat belt warning light stays on and the warning chime comes on after driving for a minute or so. I guess the spring that popped out was part of the seat belt sensor, which failed. Ive owned many vehicles in my years and never had a seat buckle fail like this before. I am going to call the dealer to see if its possible it could be covered under warranty, I know its probably a long shot (its a safety issue though). I do see the OEM part online for $40-50. Not terrible. For those that have replaced the buckle, did you have to remove the seat from the vehicle? I have an extended cab, so I was hoping I could lean the seat back and swap the buckle.

 

Happened to me this week, exactly the same way...

What is a good place to order an OEM buckle replacement? I couldn't find one on Amazon

 

I avoid Amazon -- especially things sold by someone other than Amazon themselves -- for anything where originality is important. Amazon is littered with counterfeits.

There are numerous references on here to legit Toyota dealers selling online with good service. McGeorge Toyota has done fine by me online over the years. Lately I've been using my local dealer (Lou Fusz in Saint Louis) who have started online parts selling using the Toyota portal. Their discounted prices to anybody online are better than my relationship of many years with the parts department has been able to get, so I use that now and pick up at the counter.

 

I bought mine from McGeorge Toyota. Reasonable priced and OEM. The install was fairly straight forward. Once the seat is unbolted, you can lean it back and access everything underneath.

https://parts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-seat-belt-receptacle-left-front-73240ad011b0