Seat belt retractors, how to remove??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Yeller68 · 04-12-2007, 10:04 AM

I've searched the forum, I've spent hours staring at mine, I give up!!! How do you get these things off? The cover over the retractor is very tight, and I can't find any way to remove it without risking tearing it. Anybody got any hints?

72armyswbtruck · 04-12-2007, 10:58 AM

Is your seat in the truck or out?

Yeller68 · 04-12-2007, 11:02 AM

It's in now, but will probably be out in a couple of weeks for recovering.

EAST SIDE LOW LIFE · 04-12-2007, 11:42 AM

This is going to sound off beat but here goes. I extended the belt and put a little vasoline on the edges of the metal male tang being careful to not get any on the belt webbing and pulled the male tang through. Slow and steady is the trick.

Now if your trying to remove the retractor totally off the floor just wiggle the boot cover back and forth and you will soon see it start to relax and come off exposing the bolt.

Why are you wanting to remove it? If your redoing your seat it is not something you have to do.

esll.

Yeller68 · 04-12-2007, 12:00 PM

Main reason is just to get them, and be able to clean them up as much as possible. Second reason is I'm considering buying one of the 3 point systems, and replacing it. While I want to keep it original as possible, I have a greater desire to keep my face out of the dash in case of an accident. Also in the back of my mind is how strong can 40 year old belts be?

67ChevyRedneck · 04-12-2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeller68

Main reason is just to get them, and be able to clean them up as much as possible. Second reason is I'm considering buying one of the 3 point systems, and replacing it. While I want to keep it original as possible, I have a greater desire to keep my face out of the dash in case of an accident. Also in the back of my mind is how strong can 40 year old belts be?

EAST SIDE LOW LIFE · 04-12-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeller68

Main reason is just to get them, and be able to clean them up as much as possible. Second reason is I'm considering buying one of the 3 point systems, and replacing it. While I want to keep it original as possible, I have a greater desire to keep my face out of the dash in case of an accident. Also in the back of my mind is how strong can 40 year old belts be?

**********************************************************

The webbing is quite strong and the pattern of the webbing adds to the strength. You'll notice in most cases what is called ribbing is the pattern of the belt which runs one way and then the opposite way until the desired width of the belt is acheived. Check the stiching if it is good then it is fine, if it needs repair go to a shoe renew shop and get the guy to over stich it in the same pattern as original as this is also designed for max. strength. Buckles don't work very hard unless they have been strained in a accident. Even then insurance companies don't usually replace them.

To clean them or replace them you are going to have to work with them until they free up. With the seat out or in it makes no difference as the boot has to come up to remove the retractor.

esll.

The boot is pretty thick if your careful you should be ok.

04-12-2007, 10:04 AM	#1
Yeller68 Active Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Villa Rica, Ga Posts: 297	Seat belt retractors, how to remove??? I've searched the forum, I've spent hours staring at mine, I give up!!! How do you get these things off? The cover over the retractor is very tight, and I can't find any way to remove it without risking tearing it. Anybody got any hints?

04-12-2007, 10:58 AM	#2
72armyswbtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,033	Re: Seat belt retractors, how to remove??? Is your seat in the truck or out? __________________ "Remember, They can Kill You, but they can't eat You, That's against the law!!!!!!!!!"

04-12-2007, 11:02 AM	#3
Yeller68 Active Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Villa Rica, Ga Posts: 297	Re: Seat belt retractors, how to remove??? It's in now, but will probably be out in a couple of weeks for recovering.

04-12-2007, 11:42 AM	#4
EAST SIDE LOW LIFE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C., Canada Posts: 1,602	Re: Seat belt retractors, how to remove??? This is going to sound off beat but here goes. I extended the belt and put a little vasoline on the edges of the metal male tang being careful to not get any on the belt webbing and pulled the male tang through. Slow and steady is the trick. Now if your trying to remove the retractor totally off the floor just wiggle the boot cover back and forth and you will soon see it start to relax and come off exposing the bolt. Why are you wanting to remove it? If your redoing your seat it is not something you have to do. esll. __________________ Tomorrow is for doing today's stuff. ************************************* This truck has just the right amount of energy for me! Author: Warren Lake .... (member) Last edited by EAST SIDE LOW LIFE; 04-12-2007 at 11:48 AM.

04-12-2007, 12:00 PM	#5
Yeller68 Active Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Villa Rica, Ga Posts: 297	Re: Seat belt retractors, how to remove??? Main reason is just to get them, and be able to clean them up as much as possible. Second reason is I'm considering buying one of the 3 point systems, and replacing it. While I want to keep it original as possible, I have a greater desire to keep my face out of the dash in case of an accident. Also in the back of my mind is how strong can 40 year old belts be?



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