how do I know if my seatbelts work? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Checkerbelly · 08-28-2009, 08:30 PM

Other than the obvious?! I have a 1985 camaro, and I can yank and yank on them and they don't cinch up. I'm wondering how I know they'll stop me in an accident. How much work/money am I into if I replace them?

Thanks

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camaronewbie · 08-29-2009, 11:11 PM

I believe the way they are designed, it's takes quite an abrupt force to lock them - more abrupt than one can generally get out of a "yank". However, you can swap in 4th gen belts if you are concerned without a ton of effort. Redo your headliner at the same time (since it has to come out anyway) and kill 2 birds with one stone.

Al Hasse · 08-29-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaronewbie

I believe the way they are designed, it's takes quite an abrupt force to lock them - more abrupt than one can generally get out of a "yank". However, you can swap in 4th gen belts if you are concerned without a ton of effort. Redo your headliner at the same time (since it has to come out anyway) and kill 2 birds with one stone.

The car has to be in motion for it to work properly.

The take up reel in the headliner has a weight that works with inertia and engages a brake. If you step on the brake and lean forward, that weight should stop the seat belt from moving - it doesn't take a whole lot of speed to check this out.

Chevy8588 · 08-30-2009, 12:52 AM

slam into a pole at 10mph :P

Checkerbelly · 08-30-2009, 11:04 AM

Alright, thanks guys. (not you, Chevy8588

) I'll check it out.

Chevy8588 · 08-30-2009, 12:03 PM

lol, sorry, couldnt resist

gregsz-28 · 08-31-2009, 03:08 AM

I believe there was a recall on seatbelts in '85... not sure what the reason for it was.

Scorpner · 08-31-2009, 03:16 AM

There's a couple of threads on it...

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/in...lt-recall.html (Seatbelt Recall)

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/te...l-84-90-a.html (CALLING ALL 84'-90' FIREBIRDS/CAMAROS (SAFETY RECALL STILL IN EFFECT))

Zerocyde · 08-31-2009, 10:46 PM

Good thread, I was wondering the same.

Checkerbelly · 09-09-2009, 01:16 PM

Oooh! Thanks for the heads-up.

greatpumpkin_68 · 09-09-2009, 02:23 PM

the seat belts in my iroc tighten up on me when i take off quickly from a dead stop. i then have to try to lean back even farther and pull the belt to loosen it back up a little. is that normal??