HI folks - I've discovered that neither of my front seatbelts on my TA lock when given a sharp tug, like they are meant to - is there a way I can fix these by adjusting anything in the mechanism , or will I have to get new seatbelts?

cheers

 

Mine are doing the same thing in my IROC. I was told theres really nothing you can do except get new ones. I have mine on my way as we speak. Good luck.

 

thanks for that - how much is it for new seatbelts , and it's just occuring to me if it's still possible to get them in tan ? I've got a bad feeling I read somewhere on one of the boards that tan is a hard colour to get seatbelts in, if not impossible ....... hope not !!! thanks again .

 

I had the opposite problem with mine ( would lock while pulling them out) until I removed them to install the new carpet and upholstry the other day, when looking at the seat belt retractors ( on the floor next to the seats ) I found that there is a round weight hanging from a rod (like a pendulum ) that locks the seatbelts when you hit the brakes or something ( another car ) hard. what I found is that there was a penny jammed in there under the pendulum and was making it lock all the time, the penny was in there holding the pendulum forward which locks the seatbelts. you may find something similar in yours that is keeping the mechanism from working properly, I would remove the mechanism and look inside and check for any debris.

(our seatbelts only lock when sharply applying the brakes or decellerating quickly (hitting something else).

 

thanks for that - will have a look and see if there's anything in there that can fiddled with / cleaned out - failing that , new belts it will have to be - it won't pass it's annual MOT (vehicle roadworthiness test) otherwise : the inspector checks the seatbelts by giving them a very sharp tug , to see if they lock up . If they don't lock , the car fails the test .

thanks again

 

I don't know what GM charges for new ones, but I don't think they sell tan anymore. I bought mine used off eBay for $35 delivered. This is for the fronts only, since my rear ones work fine.

 

cheers ! I'm logged into Ebay at the moment looking at headliners and Knight Rider nosecones ( sad , I know !! ) and hubcaps - didn't even think of looking for seatbelts !!! I will go and do that now !!!

 

Yeh , there's a few front seatbelt sets on Ebay , even a tan set , but the sellers only ship within the U.S. Not to worry , will see if I can do anything with the ones I already have in the car , before it becomes a problem ............

 

Scotia,

Hi from the murky midlands. I have just replaced my front belts as the retractors were completely knackered. (Got them from thirgenresource, but don't expect great service).
Anyway, I thought they were faulty as they wouldn't engage when tugged (as euro cars do). I have been reliably informed that US belts in 3rd gens don't work this way (they quite often fail UK MOT's if the guy doesn't know), the pendulum inside locks the belt under hard braking or a sudden stop (i.e. crash). With the roof retractors off tilt them forwards and then try to pull the belt. (p.s. watch the headlining during this operation!)

Regards,
Paul

 

I just recently got mine replaced on the recall in my 89 RS . I'll tell ya more later, I have to go.

 

I would have to agree with disturbthepeace. this is the reason they had the recall. besides it'll possilbly be a free repair.

 

It is my understanding that the recall was for the bottom part (the part with the buttons) only because the buttons turned pink. But then again, I could be wrong.

 

I got a whole new buckle...the buttons and cases. It was free, just ask them to search for open recalls on your car, they should find it. I think its just for camaro's though, but im not for sure. They didn't replace the belts themselves, though. I hope this helps.

 

Paul

(uk89camaro) - are your new belts the same as the ones that came off the car - ie. not locking when given a sharp tug ? How did you get around the mot ?? Was it a case of telling the tester the score ?

Disturbthepeace / Jim : if it is a recall issue , I reckon I'd have big problems getting anything done cos I'm in the uk, but it would be interesting to try !

MetallicamaroRS : reckon i'll try dismantling and see what I can do , it's gotta be worth a try !!!

cheers all !!!!

 

Scotia,

Yes, you basically have to explain to the guy how they work, i.e. not like euro boxes. It would be better if you take it to a garage who regularly does yanks, as he'll know anyway. Alternatively, if you have a real dick who won't believe you, you can (with a lot of work for a short term fix) wedge the pendulum forwards for the duration of the test, to act like fixed belts. Would recommend trying to find a garage that knows 3rd gens though.

Regards.