I need a Black passenger front seat belt retractor assembly for a 1973 Cutlass Supreme coupe with bench seat. Mine won't retract. Took it apart and can't figure it out, so I need to replace it.

Needs to be quite nice as it is going in a 66K mile car.

 

If your rear leg of the bench sits on the retractor housing and I believe it does then you can also use a retractor from a 73 with strato buckets but not swivel buckets. They are different. Good luck with your search.

 

A couple of reasons why a belt won't retract: 1) one end of the spring has broken off inside that cap that sternly warns "DO NOT REMOVE". And, 2) the spool and/or the bar that runs from end to end of the spool to "lock" the spool in position when in use is corroded to the point where they aren't moving freely. The condition of the spool can be seen from underneath. The spring's lack of tension can be verified by loosening the three retaining tabs on the cap while holding downward pressure on it and then gently lessening the pressure to see if it wants to turn from the spring's tension inside. If so, the spring is good. If not, it's broken.

I believe I have a few spare spring cap assemblies if you think this is the problem.

 

I will check the spring assembly this weekend. The bar is loose and moves easily. The spool is also free and turns easily.

 

Just be cautious when loosening the cap. That thing will go flying off and the spring inside will jump out from underneath like a coiled snake if you don't keep just enough downward pressure on it to hold it in place while allowing those tabs to be lifted upwards. Then, as I said, relax your pressure until it tries to spin in your hand (this assumes the spring is still wound tight).

 

I removed the spring cap, and as you suspected, the spring is broken.
I will need a replacement.

How much?

 

All fixed now........

Thanks to crimsoncolby, it works like it should!!!