Plastic seat belt sleeve/protector questions

[71K5Randy]

I have lots of questions about the yellowish plastic sleeve on the passenger front inner seat belt...

Like were they used on all years 69-72?

Were they used on all belt colors? It seems like I only see them on black belts.

All the sleeves I have seen were heavily yellowed to tan to orange - what color were these originally? Like a translucent off-white such as a natural nylon plastic color? Has anyone ever seen an NOS one or GM stock photos?

Can these be removed from the belts without destroying them, cleaned and reinstalled?

Thanks for any help!

[DeadheadNM]

I believe these started life as clear or non yellow and discolored over time. That in my blazer now is still fairly clear but I have a yellowed example as well. I’ve seen these on parchment and saddle and assume present on all colors. What I’m unsure of is whether or not a matching color boot was also employed like those on the rear seat belts.

[71K5Randy]

What’s the best/clearest sleeve you have? I’d be interested in pics!

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by 71K5Randy

What’s the best/clearest sleeve you have? I’d be interested in pics!

Here’s a comparison. The clearest example is more yellowed than I remembered but no where close to the other example. My parchment belts were redone. The saddle belt is all original untouched.

[71K5Randy]

Has anyone removed the sleeve for cleaning or belt restoration? Which direction does it slide, towards the buckle end? Lube with dish soap or something else?

[DeadheadNM]

I believe either the belt or the sleeve would have to be cut for removal.

[71K5Randy]

I found these pics that show the sleeve moved or loose. It suggests it might be removed by sliding towards the buckle end but I don’t know that for certain. I tried prying on mine with a moderate amount of force and it didn’t show signs of budging.

[DeadheadNM]

The sleeve seen in the top photo no longer has a taper at the floor pan end producing a “waist” in the belt so i suspect it is either split or cut. You can see that level of narrowing on your second pic and it sort of seen on my pic.

It’s a no go but I suspect if you pull hard enough you’ll be successful at dislodging the sleeve

[1rippen6]

I haven't tried it yet but thought some heat to soften it up and then pull. Maybe a tag team effort, someone with a heat gun and another with a pair of gloves ready to pull.

[71K5Randy]

I successfully separated them last night. Used dish soap and water for lube. Started twisting the bracket and the webbing broke free from the belt. Then the sleeve could be slid towards the buckle end. I removed the buckle and folded the stitched end of the webbing like the pic so I could feed it into the sleeve, and it went through.

[1rippen6]

Awesome!!

[DeadheadNM]

Nice! I forgot the buckle can be removed. Curious to see if it cleans up. I'd like to clean the darker example I have but nervous to induce a split.

[71K5Randy]

Mine has one light and one dark side. The dark side definitely feels like it could crack from pressure but the light side still has spring to it. I’m going to first try cleaning it with some dish soap and a brush, and/or maybe simple green or oxiclean.

[71K5Randy]

Next question, what years were short vs long sleeves? My 71 is 5-3/4” long. Pic from 1rippen6 below includes a couple shorter ones, maybe 1” shorter, at least 1 of which is believed to be a 69. Who else has any from 70 that are long or short?

[DeadheadNM]

Great pic. I’ve got no clue regarding length. Would be interested in knowing.