I have a 1978 Cutlass with bucket seats and replaced the front seat belts.

In the process of replacing the seat belt webbing I had to de tension the retractor sprint (where it says DO NOT REMOVE) , do a loop, and sew the end to the belt.

I rewound the retractor spring, and reattached the seat belt release, and it retracts nicely, but now the belt doesnt seem to "catch" it just pulls out when inside the car and door shut.

ANy ideas how to fix this?

Fred

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On my Jeep there was some debris in the mechanism that prevented the pawl from engaging. I do not know if the GM ratcheting mechanism is the same as the Jeep mechanism, though.