Seat belt retractor?

[69camaro76b]

The front seat belt retractor in my 69 Camaro won't retract. Any suggestions on the steps to fix this issue? Thxs for your help.

[67Ss4spd]

did you take it apart and check the spool

[69camaro76b]

Haven't done anything yet, wasn't sure where to start. The cover isn't cracked and I was hoping it could be fixed without removing the spool? The plastic cover is pretty hard. If I heat it up with a heat gun can I remove the spool without cracking the cover?

[67Ss4spd]

The Chevelle fisher manual says to shove a flat blade thru the slot the belt comes out of so the cover can release. You need the cover loose to get into it. It’s a pretty simple contraption after that. Like the old window shades, just worth more.

[KevinW]

Throw the whole retractor in very hot water. (I boil up a pot, then turn burner off before putting retractor in).

After a few min, this will make the cover pliable enough to pull retractor out. Then you can take it apart to diagnose. The orientation of the spring and keeper plates is very important, so take pics and notes. There are plastic parts in there that are VERY brittle, be careful.

A weak or broken spring is my guess

To get retractor in, you have to thread a small rope in the bolt hole in the cover to the bolt hole of the retractor. Then throw the cover only in the pot of water. Then using the rope, you can pull the rectractor into the cover.

PS: Chevelle retractors are a whole different animal then Camaro, even though the basic premise is the same.

[bills69]

over the years the cover bends and will rub against the spool so it will not retract sometimes

[69camaro76b]

Thanks for the suggestions. Kevin if the brittle plastic parts inside are broken are there any replacement parts or repairs that can be made? Thxs again!

[KevinW]

Maybe someone with a 3D printer could do it. If I recall its a sleeve around the spring barrel.

Bill is correct about the cover warping. A fix for the is the hot water again. once the cover is pliable again, jamb some flat wood in there to hold the gap open while it is cooling. after it cools it will hold that shape. For a while anyways, hot days will start the process over again.

[69camaro76b]

Looks like Bill was right. After I removed the belt/recoil assembly from the outer plastic cover it worked fine. Didn't even have to take apart the spring assembly. Thought for sure something was broken internally. I'll definitely have to heat up outer cover, let it expand and set before re-assembling. Thanks for all the help!

[KevinW]

Glad it was simple. BUT, you have to re-insert the retractor in the cover when it is hot, then align the sides while it is still pliable, then let it cool all assembled. Installing the retractor when cold could crack it.