Front seatbelt retractors not locking,how to test? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

john03834 · 11-27-2009, 10:09 PM

Okay, I have a question becasue I am stumped. How do you test the front seatbelts to see if they are working? From my understanding is a quick or sudden jerk to get the retractor wheel to lock. I have an 1987 trans am, retractor mounted to the rear roof, and retractor mounted at the sill plate also, 3 point setup. So, when its latched across me, across my shoulder and my lap, you pull on the belt it moves freely, in and out,no locking clutch when pulled real quick or sudden jerk across my body. I take the belt out and move it around or pitch it, and I can see the weight in it moving like its working and locks and catches outside of the car just like the sill mount retractor. But once mounted in the car, nor the rear roof mount retractor, or the sill plate retractor will not lock or catch, justs moves freely in and out Botht the driver and pass do the samething, and they do retract when pulled out. Any info would be great, stumped, big time.......I even bought another set of front seatbelts that worked in his car but doesnt work in mine from an 89 gta, his doing the same thing in my car. Any ideas?

Thanks John
john03834 Posts: 398 Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:55 pm

CreepingDeath94 · 11-28-2009, 09:15 AM

Is there any chance they got put on the wrong sides? Can that even be done? It's been a while since I was messing with the seat belts, but maybe if the angle is off from being on the left instead of right side it may affect it? How did you test it so far? It may need hard braking or impact to actually lock and not just quickly pulling it out by design. Usually when the belts stop working from what i have seen they just don't retract back in the harness...I don't know if they can take a dump where they don't lock up in an accident.

I guess you could also take one out of the car/off the mounting location and try pulling it out while moving it around. Once that weight moves where it is supposed to lock, it should lock in your hand.

john03834 · 11-28-2009, 09:39 AM

I dont think it can mounted on the wrong side, the parts that bolt to the sill plate would be backwards and not line up with the mounting hole, or guide pin. I did all the test your mentioning, as stated in my post

CreepingDeath94 · 11-28-2009, 11:56 AM

As I then stated afterward, it is probably fine and just doesn't lock until hit harder than you're doing testing it or needs crash impact or slammed brakes to throw the weight enough to lock the belt.

Drew · 11-28-2009, 01:10 PM

Various parts of the seatbelt systems were recalled over the years, but usually for not retracting, or the push buttons in the buckles deteriorating. Chances are the locking mechanism works fine. They work on weight and momentum so if the car is stopped they aren't going to lock up. If you're very concerned, you could drive the car onto a steep incline and see if they lock.

john03834 · 11-28-2009, 01:46 PM

thanks for the info, just wanted to be sure they were working, thats all. When I am driving its real loose across my chest. It just made me concered, since othe seatbelts like my truck or other car its alot tighter, and they lock when I pull on them. If they work outside of the car,by changing the pitch or movement in my hand and they lock fine I would assume they are working then?

stealtht/a · 11-28-2009, 10:45 PM

Im pretty sure the seatbelts in 3rd gen dont lock with the sharp tug. I beleive thye have a momentum system in them that senses deceleration. this sensor will also be activated by a sharp downhill slope, IIRC. I think i heard they changed to the more convential type in 90, but it may not have been until the 4th gens. I beleive this is the main reason to swap to 4th gen seatbelts.
You can test this by parking on a steep hill , or if you remove the unit from the car, it should lock when tilted foward.
IMo, the 3rd gen seatbelts are horribly unsafe, even in new condition. Im switching to 4th gens when redo my interior.

oops, drew beat me to it

Drew · 11-29-2009, 12:26 AM

If they don't retract to pull the belt tight, you might have a problem that was addressed by a recall. However, this far out it's unlikely you'd be able to find a dealership that would do the repair. It might be worth asking the service manager at your local Chevy dealer.

john03834 · 11-29-2009, 09:19 AM

Thanks guys for all the info on it, it helps

evilemokid94 · 04-05-2010, 05:49 PM

see, my seatbelts are different, my driver side locks no matter what i do when i try to pull it out, i have to pop the plate at the bottom of the seat and hold down the little prong thing to even get my belt to come acrossed me to get to the button.

BoomBoxx · 05-08-2010, 09:37 PM

Is there even a chance that the recall would be honored?! It's from '86! Neither of my front shoulder belts retract, and this makes me worry about smashing my face in. Passenger side receiver does not latch either. I can't drive much like this. Can anyone recommend a solution to this, or where and which type of replacement belts to buy? Should I buy new, or will 4th Gen replacements work without additional mounting brackets.

bfran 18 · 05-13-2010, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CreepingDeath94

As I then stated afterward, it is probably fine and just doesn't lock until hit harder than you're doing testing it or needs crash impact or slammed brakes to throw the weight enough to lock the belt.

i have heard from many mechanics that if you do not hit the brakes hard enough or have an impact the weights were made not to move too much so the belts dont canstantly lock up on you

87IROC-DAN61 · 05-13-2010, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john03834

Okay, I have a question becasue I am stumped. How do you test the front seatbelts to see if they are working? From my understanding is a quick or sudden jerk to get the retractor wheel to lock. I have an 1987 trans am, retractor mounted to the rear roof, and retractor mounted at the sill plate also, 3 point setup. So, when its latched across me, across my shoulder and my lap, you pull on the belt it moves freely, in and out,no locking clutch when pulled real quick or sudden jerk across my body. I take the belt out and move it around or pitch it, and I can see the weight in it moving like its working and locks and catches outside of the car just like the sill mount retractor. But once mounted in the car, nor the rear roof mount retractor, or the sill plate retractor will not lock or catch, justs moves freely in and out Botht the driver and pass do the samething, and they do retract when pulled out. Any info would be great, stumped, big time.......I even bought another set of front seatbelts that worked in his car but doesnt work in mine from an 89 gta, his doing the same thing in my car. Any ideas?

Thanks John
john03834 Posts: 398 Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:55 pm

Hello john03834!!

The seat belts in a thirdgen don't lock with a sudden tug, or jerk, with your hand.

The only way to lock them up is with a frontal impact/downward slope/or a sudden panic brake test!!

They have what is called a comfort lock mechanism that allows you to "adjust" the tension on them, for your comfort.

The other mechanism is the inertial lock, and it does exactly what it's intended to do, and that is to lock up under inertial force, usually frontal/side collisions will set that into motion.

If your seat belts move freely in and out, that can be set at a certain tension (with a bit of slack), and actually retract all the way with some force, consider yourself lucky to have seat belts that are working like the factory intended them to!!

P.S. Check my post #421 in the "Important sticky thread", "Seatbelt Recall", you can get some info there that I posted about the seat belts.