1985 Ford Escort Seat belts Problems

“A plastic part inside of the seat belt buckle has become brittle, reducing the strength of the seat belt. Even though it latched normally, my belt buckle fell apart as I was driving. I examined the same plastic part on the passenger-side seatbelt, (which has almost never been used), and found that it was brittle and falling apart as well. This plastic part holds in position a metal bar, around which the seat-belt webbing wraps. The plastic becomes brittle with age, and can allow the metal bar to fall out of the buckle, releasing the seat belt. …”

“Seat belt latch incorporates a plastic spacer which holds metal bar in position, the metal bar holds the seat belt webbing in place, the plastic has become brittle and no longer holds the bar in position, allowing the seat belt not to stay fastened, consumer states manufacturer will not sell plastic part, which would require him to purchase an entire seat belt assembly.”