Darn Shoulder Belts

[basement]

 

Can anyone tell me how to fix the annoying problem with the shoulder belt return mech. What happens is as you try to pull the belt out to rap around you the ratchet mechanism catches and won't allow anymore belt to release. So, you sit there for five minutes getting piss'd off trying to put the stupid thing on. It wouldn't be such a big deal but the wife got a ticket for no seat belt acouple months ago.
thanks

[Oldschool]

I had a car that used to do that.  Never was able to repair it, but I could keep it from happening.  I had to pull the belt out SLOWLY to keep the enertia mechanism from catching the belt.  You might try that and see if it helps out somewhat....        

[422STROKER]

I noticed this feature today while trying to figure out where all this stuff goes.  Like OLDSCHOOL said pull slow and it seems OK.  Do you have a picture of your belts installed?

Tom

[Rev-It-Up]

This is pretty funny after just watching the movie RV.  Robin Williams had the same problem.  Frustrating, I'm sure!

[Bullitt-]

Don't suppose your talking about an e-body but I'm sure that the basic function for more modern retractors is similar to those in my '73. I don't remember ever having properly functioning retractors, they either didn't retract or like you say are too sensitive as you pull them out. While I had my interior out & was cleaning the seatbelts I studied the mechanism. Lubricated with silicone spray which helped them retract better, the ones that wanted to hang up coming out I tweaked a metal "spring" that held tension on the belt & would catch in the ratchet when pulled faster, I was able to improve the action considerably. Whatever I'm sure your gonna have to dig in & get your hands dirty, so to speak.

[EVIL72]

Don't suppose your talking about an e-body but I'm sure that the basic function for more modern retractors is similar to those in my '73. I don't remember ever having properly functioning retractors, they either didn't retract or like you say are too sensitive as you pull them out. While I had my interior out & was cleaning the seatbelts I studied the mechanism. Lubricated with silicone spray which helped them retract better, the ones that wanted to hang up coming out I tweaked a metal "spring" that held tension on the belt & would catch in the ratchet when pulled faster, I was able to improve the action considerably. Whatever I'm sure your gonna have to dig in & get your hands dirty, so to speak.

  Mine did the same thing on my 72. They would jam all the time, so I pulled the covers off them to find enough hair to make a small cat!!!
 After cleaning them out, I heavily lubricated them with silicone spray as I retracted them over and over. The first time I used them after that I almost put my hand right through my windshield  There smooth as butter now.

[bigblock4speedman]

Seat belts?   Never use them, don't believe in them, they could get you drowned, leave you hanging upside down, get legs crushed by dash and engine,  or cost you your life!

[Chryco Psycho]

I assume you have a 74 , all I have seen are terrible doing eactly as yours are doing , not fun & no solution that I know of

[Challenger6pak]

BB4Speedman,  You will most likely put your head through the dash or a windshield before any of those things happen.  Between racing and being around an ICU at a hospital alot I have learned to wear my belts.  People who come into the ICU the worst never use them and don't believe in them.

[bigblock4speedman]

There was one time a seat belt could have kept me from hitting the windshield a few years back, when someone pulled out in front of me so quick!  Before that, the things I described would have happened to me if I had worn a belt, I would have drowned, gotten crushed or hung upside down painfully.  My life has been unusual!  But I can say that you are also right, sometimes they're useful and good.  Hopefully my life will change for the better!  I learn more all the time.