Seat Belt retractor reference photo/info, and a question... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**jocko** · 05-01-2014, 12:22 AM

1st pic is the question - how does one get that %$^&* retainer spring on the outside of the belt (the thing that makes the belt wind with the retractor) off and on without destroying the fragile little plastic tube in the belt? I've successfully removed the clip, barely - but in trying to get it back on, it's broken two, yes TWO, plastic inner tubes. How have you all done this? It clearly takes a special tool that probably hasn't existed since 1972...

Other pics provided for ref for folks that are looking for reference pics of seat belt retractor parts - shows all parts and I found a great way to wind the spring also. Unfortunately, my plastic tube was cracked on the install and I didn't know it. See my WTB ad in the parts section! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=627184 ha.

Thanks gents. Oh - and does anyone around here do seat belt restoration? (i.e. if I have good belts, can someone make a retractor functional again... go figure... A metal replacement cylinder could probably be made, but I bet it'd be too heavy for the little retractor spring to wind it up).

SS Tim · 05-01-2014, 01:09 AM

This might help you some.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584809

**jocko** · 05-01-2014, 02:44 AM

Thanks Tim - yep, that's a great thread, unfortunately, it has everything except the one thing I'm trying to learn - reinstall that silly metal clip... Ha. Great reference threads inside there too.

**hooverfish** · 05-11-2014, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocko

Thanks Tim - yep, that's a great thread, unfortunately, it has everything except the one thing I'm trying to learn - reinstall that silly metal clip... Ha. Great reference threads inside there too.

Jocko, I did two of these today and it worked for me.
I got two pieces of nylon string/twine and looped one piece through each side of the metal clip.
I attached one string to the vice on my work bench (just to anchor it) .

Have your belt, bolt, plastic sleeve, etc. ready to install metal clip. (don't forget retractor cover like I did cause you then have to remove clip AGAIN and start over).
With everything ready I take the second string in my hand (using a glove) and pull to 'spring' the metal clip open, enough to slip over the fabric covered plastic sleeve. After the clip is installed, cut the string and use pliers to pull out from under the clip ... Hope this works for you too. I will post a picture later ....worth 1000 words....

**jocko** · 05-11-2014, 02:39 PM

That I an excellent idea - thanks very much, will give it a try.

**hooverfish** · 05-11-2014, 04:32 PM

picture ........

Sklptrljay · 05-11-2014, 04:34 PM

Mine looks a little different than yours. Mine has a bolt with a flat end that fits into a slot in the spring/plastic sleeve mechanism. I put the plastic sleeve in the belt webbing, then I put some Vaseline on the outside of the belt webbing and pushed it back into the metal sleeve.

Hope this helps. Yours might be too different though. Good luck.

**jocko** · 05-11-2014, 04:49 PM

Thanks sklptrljay, I have the type Larry depicts. I do have some parts in a bucket o retractor parts I have though, so, might come in handy. Would love to have the tool gm used on the assembly line for this!! Ha. Will give the rope method a try - thx again Larry, and thx for the pics.

**jocko** · 05-14-2014, 10:49 PM

Well, hit yet another snag. Apparently there were 2 types of retractors in these trucks. As noted in my post above, I have the kind that Hooverfish has, not the ones 2 posts above. So, here is a pic of the two types side by side. My truck had the type on the left. Note the differences, thought they are slight, they are showstoppers.

The plastic tube on the left is slightly larger - so its spring will not fit in the plastic tube on the right - not interchangeable. Also note that the one on the left has a nut to secure it once it's inserted through the spring and drum and floor brace, whereas the type on the right has a flatted bolt. The bolts aren't interchangeable. Worse yet - here's the real catch - the floor braces I have will only work with the type on the left - the bolt on the right is too large to fit through the floor brace through holes.

So, back to the drawing board - anyone have the plastic drum and spring and white drum end caps depicted on the left side of the picture?

Thanks guys.

05-01-2014, 12:22 AM	#1
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,937	Seat Belt retractor reference photo/info, and a question... 1st pic is the question - how does one get that %$^&* retainer spring on the outside of the belt (the thing that makes the belt wind with the retractor) off and on without destroying the fragile little plastic tube in the belt? I've successfully removed the clip, barely - but in trying to get it back on, it's broken two, yes TWO, plastic inner tubes. How have you all done this? It clearly takes a special tool that probably hasn't existed since 1972... Other pics provided for ref for folks that are looking for reference pics of seat belt retractor parts - shows all parts and I found a great way to wind the spring also. Unfortunately, my plastic tube was cracked on the install and I didn't know it. See my WTB ad in the parts section! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=627184 ha. Thanks gents. Oh - and does anyone around here do seat belt restoration? (i.e. if I have good belts, can someone make a retractor functional again... go figure... A metal replacement cylinder could probably be made, but I bet it'd be too heavy for the little retractor spring to wind it up). Attached Images Last edited by jocko; 05-01-2014 at 12:30 AM.

05-01-2014, 01:09 AM	#2
SS Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edwards, CA Posts: 7,503	Re: Seat Belt retractor reference photo/info, and a question... This might help you some. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584809 __________________ Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID Blazer SPID Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban

05-01-2014, 02:44 AM	#3
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,937	Re: Seat Belt retractor reference photo/info, and a question... Thanks Tim - yep, that's a great thread, unfortunately, it has everything except the one thing I'm trying to learn - reinstall that silly metal clip... Ha. Great reference threads inside there too.

05-11-2014, 02:39 PM	#5
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,937	Re: Seat Belt retractor reference photo/info, and a question... That I an excellent idea - thanks very much, will give it a try.

05-11-2014, 04:32 PM	#6
hooverfish Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lexington, Ky Posts: 2,117	Re: Seat Belt retractor reference photo/info, and a question... picture ........ Attached Images __________________ Larry 84 Chevy SWB, "Roy", dark blue orig paint, 6 cyl auto, PS, 88,000 miles. 72 Highlander LWB "Olive" med olive over lt yellow, air, 77,000 miles (sold) "It's a sorry man who can't find his wife a good job"

05-11-2014, 04:34 PM	#7
Sklptrljay Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma Posts: 874	Re: Seat Belt retractor reference photo/info, and a question... Mine looks a little different than yours. Mine has a bolt with a flat end that fits into a slot in the spring/plastic sleeve mechanism. I put the plastic sleeve in the belt webbing, then I put some Vaseline on the outside of the belt webbing and pushed it back into the metal sleeve. Hope this helps. Yours might be too different though. Good luck. Attached Images __________________ 1971 C/10 SWB, 15x8 Rallys, 4.5" X 7" static drop, C-notched, 350/350, 3.73 Posi. .........A 383 and Gear Vendors are on my bucket list. 1972 GMC 4X4 K1500 Survivor - Sold No matter what problems life throws at you, your time on Earth can be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.....if you just lower your expectations. -Phil Dunphy

05-11-2014, 04:49 PM	#8
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,937	Re: Seat Belt retractor reference photo/info, and a question... Thanks sklptrljay, I have the type Larry depicts. I do have some parts in a bucket o retractor parts I have though, so, might come in handy. Would love to have the tool gm used on the assembly line for this!! Ha. Will give the rope method a try - thx again Larry, and thx for the pics.

05-14-2014, 10:49 PM	#9
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,937	Re: Seat Belt retractor reference photo/info, and a question... Well, hit yet another snag. Apparently there were 2 types of retractors in these trucks. As noted in my post above, I have the kind that Hooverfish has, not the ones 2 posts above. So, here is a pic of the two types side by side. My truck had the type on the left. Note the differences, thought they are slight, they are showstoppers. The plastic tube on the left is slightly larger - so its spring will not fit in the plastic tube on the right - not interchangeable. Also note that the one on the left has a nut to secure it once it's inserted through the spring and drum and floor brace, whereas the type on the right has a flatted bolt. The bolts aren't interchangeable. Worse yet - here's the real catch - the floor braces I have will only work with the type on the left - the bolt on the right is too large to fit through the floor brace through holes. So, back to the drawing board - anyone have the plastic drum and spring and white drum end caps depicted on the left side of the picture? Thanks guys. Attached Images



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