Hi - I had a look at the Seatbelt Recall sticky and my issues do not seem to be related to the recall issues. All four seat belts in my '87 T/A do not appear to be working properly.

Both the front driver and passenger belts latch and release fine, BUT the retractor locking mechanisms do not seem to be working. If you pull on or snap the belts out rapidly they do not grab and lock, making me think that in a forward collision they would not hold me in place and I'd fly into the windshield. Since the car does not have ABS I'm reluctant to attempt a full or partial panic stop to test the belts. Does anyone know if these retractor locking mechanisms are triggered by the belt's movement or the car's movement during a rapid deceleration? If they are not functioning as designed are they difficult to repair?

Both of my rear passenger belts will not extend. Both are unlatched and in the retracted position. If you pull on them they will not unroll out to reach the buckle. They feel jammed. I've only had the car a few months. At my first cruise night I wanted to connect the rear belts to look nice and that when I discovered neither of them unroll out. I don't think there has been a rear passenger in at least 20 years, so could this be the result of not being used for a long time?

This car is bone stock, 65K miles and has been maintained. For all intents and purposes this car has no problems. It's like a 5 year old car. This is why I'm perplexed. If everything else about the car is fine and in exceptional shape, then why, of all things, would the safety restraints be the components to fail? Am I missing something? Is this common? Easy or hard to fix? Any ideas?

 

The front belts lock on sudden decelaration/impact.There is a spring on the upper mechansim that sometimes pops out of place, but can be pushed back in(cant remember how/if that affected the lock, but it should be fix anyway).It requires removing the upper retractor though.You can also see the little pendulm like device that locks the belts.If you pivot the retractor forward you should be able to make the belts lock.At least that how i remember when i had mine out years back.

The rear belts, i dont know.Are those shoulder belts or was 88 when they first used?

 

Thanks for the help!

My rear belts are lap only. It's just strange they are both identically jammed.

 

Take the plastic off & have a closer look.Maybe the belts are jammed into the edges of the roller.

 

The rears sometimes get rusted. Leaks from the hatch or t tops can drip there and in most third gens they never get used. I have pulled a couple that were completly frozen. Not too hard too find on eBay if you only need rear retractors.

 

I have that same problem with the upper front passenger in my '87 IROC. Not too big of a concern right now since the car has no engine and I can't see myself getting into an accident with it anytime soon lol.

 

Looks like I have to add seat belt repair to my winter project list. Thanks for the feedback!