The 1997 Ford Explorer is equipped with front bucket seats. Most models also included a center console in the vehicle. Your vehicle's seat belts should be replaced every 10 years in order to ensure that the seat belts are safe to use. The driver's side seat belt is a three-point retractable seat belt. Replacing the driver's side seat belt for your Ford Explorer does not require any advanced mechanical skills.
Open the driver's side door of your vehicle. Do not insert the key into your vehicle's ignition.
Remove the lower seat belt mount bolt using your socket wrench. The bolt is located on the anchor plate of your vehicle's floor.
Remove the upper seat belt mount bolt. Use a slotted screwdriver to pry any anchor plate cover that may be installed. Remove the body side trim panel from your vehicle in order to expose the seat belt
Remove the seat belt from the side trim panel and place to the side.
Remove the bolt from the seat belt retractor assembly. Then remove the seat belt retractor assembly, and the seat belt from the vehicle.
Install the new seat belt retractor system to the vehicle. Tighten the seat belt retractor bolt, and guide the seat belt through the trim panel. Replace the trim panel onto your vehicle.
Replace the upper seat belt anchor plate and bolt on the vehicle. Use the socket wrench to tighten the bolt into place. Replace the anchor plate cover.
Replace the lower seat belt anchor plate and bolt the lower seat belt mount bolt into place. Tighten the bolt with your socket wrench.
