How to take a lap seat belt retractor apart

craftsmen22 · November 3rd, 2009, 12:15 AM

Hi there,
on my 69 Cutlass conv. drivers side was a non original seat belt retractor installed. Since it was not original the retractor cap was missing, and this caused the belt to get all mixed up. Now I got myself a used retractor, but with the wrong belt color. The retractor has a plastic cap on one side, where it says "do not remove". My plan is to open the retractor to get a new belt inside. Would anyone know how to proceed or what hapens when I take the plastic cap off?

Olds64 · November 3rd, 2009, 06:49 AM

There is a retractor spring under the cap. If you remove the plastic cap without having the retractor spring shoot across the room then you are lucky. The hard part will be getting the retractor spring back under the plastic cap when you reassemble the seatbelt. I suggest you buy a new seatbelt or have the original rebuilt professionally.

craftsmen22 · November 3rd, 2009, 01:07 PM

So, any hints how to get the spring back under the cap, once it has been flying around. How do the pros repair a retractor. Anyone know any tricks?

I will provide pictures of my proceeding.

Olds64 · November 3rd, 2009, 01:13 PM

I have no idea. The experience I have with seatbelts is that I bought two aftermarket retractable lap belts for my 71 Olds 98, I also worked for TRW for a time in Alfdorf, Germany. When I worked for TRW they installed the springs in the seatbelt assemblies as they were manufactured. Of course, these seatbelt assemblies were for newer European cars (Volvo, VW, Audi, etc.)

Do a search on our website, there are professional services that can rebuild seatbelts very reasonably. I know you can buy an aftermarket seatbelt from Kanter for about $90. IMHO, it isn't worth it to cut corners when safety is concerned.

craftsmen22 · November 3rd, 2009, 01:30 PM

@ Olds64: thank you for your advice. I'll look for professional companies.

slowolds · November 3rd, 2009, 02:58 PM

442bro.com

go to "How to Do it"
select "Seat belt retractor removal"

November 3rd, 2009, 12:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
craftsmen22 Cutlass driver in Germany Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 39	How to take a lap seat belt retractor apart Hi there, on my 69 Cutlass conv. drivers side was a non original seat belt retractor installed. Since it was not original the retractor cap was missing, and this caused the belt to get all mixed up. Now I got myself a used retractor, but with the wrong belt color. The retractor has a plastic cap on one side, where it says "do not remove". My plan is to open the retractor to get a new belt inside. Would anyone know how to proceed or what hapens when I take the plastic cap off? __________________ Best regards, Tom Munich, Germany

November 3rd, 2009, 06:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	There is a retractor spring under the cap. If you remove the plastic cap without having the retractor spring shoot across the room then you are lucky. The hard part will be getting the retractor spring back under the plastic cap when you reassemble the seatbelt. I suggest you buy a new seatbelt or have the original rebuilt professionally. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

November 3rd, 2009, 01:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
craftsmen22 Cutlass driver in Germany Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 39	So, any hints how to get the spring back under the cap, once it has been flying around. How do the pros repair a retractor. Anyone know any tricks? I will provide pictures of my proceeding. __________________ Best regards, Tom Munich, Germany

November 3rd, 2009, 01:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	I have no idea. The experience I have with seatbelts is that I bought two aftermarket retractable lap belts for my 71 Olds 98, I also worked for TRW for a time in Alfdorf, Germany. When I worked for TRW they installed the springs in the seatbelt assemblies as they were manufactured. Of course, these seatbelt assemblies were for newer European cars (Volvo, VW, Audi, etc.) Do a search on our website, there are professional services that can rebuild seatbelts very reasonably. I know you can buy an aftermarket seatbelt from Kanter for about $90. IMHO, it isn't worth it to cut corners when safety is concerned. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

November 3rd, 2009, 01:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
craftsmen22 Cutlass driver in Germany Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 39	@ Olds64: thank you for your advice. I'll look for professional companies. __________________ Best regards, Tom Munich, Germany

November 3rd, 2009, 02:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
slowolds Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Joliet, Il Posts: 37	442bro.com go to "How to Do it" select "Seat belt retractor removal"

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