seat belt retactors 1976

Topic: seat belt retactors 1976

in Forum: C3 Interior

Already a Member? Click Here to Login

Not yet a Member? Click Here to Register for Free!

Forum List New Topic

Search Hide Signatures

Posted: 8/6/06 6:08pm Message 1 of 6

Quote

MTD1960

Former Member

Send PM

Kingston, NY - USA

Joined: 11/5/2003

Posts: 21

Vette(s): none

I have a 1976 Ttop car that both (bottom) seat belt retractors won't let the belts out Is there a trick to getting these to release? thanks

SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)

seat belt retactors 1976

Posted: 8/6/06 6:11pm Message 2 of 6

Quote

Adams' Apple

Lifetime Member
Moderator

Send PM

Duncanville, TX - USA

Joined: 11/8/2003

Posts: 20214

Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Take the seats out, and see how rusted the retractors are.

You may be able to soak them enough to get them moving, you may not...

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link

(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

seat belt retactors 1976

Posted: 8/6/06 9:37pm Message 3 of 6

Quote

suncountry

Lifetime Member
Moderator

Send PM

Moses Lake, WA - USA

Joined: 4/16/2005

Posts: 2134

Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II

I end up having my belts rebuilt. They actually replaced the lower retractors with new ones. If yours aren't working, you should have them replaced or rebuilt. Seat belts are one of those safety items that you want to work properly every time

seat belt retactors 1976

Posted: 8/8/06 3:26pm Message 4 of 6

Quote

74-454

Lifetime Member

Send PM

Canada

Joined: 8/6/2004

Posts: 533

Vette(s): Coupe 74 - 454 Drive it like you stole it!

Same problem here. I "temporarely" replaced mine with 3 points after market (about 250$ for the pair) until I fix my original.

Originals goes for about 400$ for a 74 (which has a unique clip that year). For a 76, you might find replacements from other cars.

Mine would let the belt out only if you roll it all the way down first (which is under the safety bar, which you couldn't drive without).

You will find that the plastic cover of the retractor (under seat) can't be removed. I don't understand how it can be "soaked", but I'd like to know.

Also, do a search on the past threads, it seems that everybody agrees that the company Snake Oil (or something like that) do a good job at rebuilding seatbelts, but it comes at a price!

If you choose to replace them, keep the originals, even with a faulty retractor, they already bring good $$$.