New member with a seat belt question

[bonazz]

I found this site a few months ago, and i think that the amount of knowledge shared is great! I've got a '70 coupe that is almost finished. My problem is with the seat belts. The lap belts are completely seized, with a lot of rust on the chrome buckle. Is there a way to get the belts working without destroying them completely? Any help on this matter would be a big help to me.

 

[resto75]

I would spray them with a penatrating oil such as PB Blaster to get the retractors moving and then clean everything up with super clean or another strong cleaner. If they are too bad just buy replacements as 33 year old seat belts are probably not in good shape to begin with. I dont think rotten seat belt straps are going to help much if you need them and probably new would be bettter as well as less work.

I see its your first post so Welcome to the CAC

 

[gooney0]

I had the same problem here is how i fixed it:

Took the seat out

Peeled back carpet.

Peeled back pad.

removed black plastic cover

Removed metal bar which holds the belt in position.

removed lapbelt retractor.

Then I sanded some of the rust off. There was a fair amount of rust between the "discs." The sanding made the retractor spin more freely. Then I lubed it with powered graphite.

Works like champ now. Just be sure it isn't hanging on anything. Like the metal bar.


Hopefully that will work. Proper seatbelts are very expensive!

-Gooney0