CGGorman

Subject says it all...

My seatbelt retractors have no springs. Anybody find a source for replacement springs or alternatives?

LemansBlue68

Same thing with mine. The springs had long ago turned to red powder. No replacements available that I know of through the normal Corvette suppliers. Maybe a seatbelt restoration place like Snake Oyl or Seatbelt Sity carries them. I was going to look through some commercial/wholesale hardware supply sources for something close. There may be a standard stock spring that someone carries that will work. If I find something, I'll let you know. Just haven't had a chance to get to that step on my list.

BlueL36

I'm interested in parts info, too. Rebuilding the insides of the retractors would make for a good winter project.

Big Fish

Ssnake-Oyl replaced my retractor for the driver's side. These things get rusty down in that little recess. I have a feeling there could be a liability issue rebuilding them VS replacements. The replacement works just fine but does look a little different then the original, but bolted up the same.

CGGorman

How much for the Ssnake-Oyl repair?

toolman0114

Rik's Corvette parts sell a replacement retractor for $95.

CGGorman

Hell no. I'll just let the belt flop beside the seat first.

Big Fish

They charged me $75 for the retractor and another $45 to re-web it with new material. If your material has been wet and has rust stains it should be replaced. Can't do you any good if the retractor doesn't work or the webbing breaks in the event of an accident.

CGGorman

I sent them an email asking for the spring price. They want $50 just for the spring. We'll see about that.

Cali,68,L-79

Since when did 68's have retractors? Mine has a big ole bolt that connects them to the body.

CGGorman

I've got a wedge shaped retractor that bolts to the floor under the seat with a single button-head allen. The webbing comes out toward the outboard side and is routed under a chromed guide that is bolted in three places to the sill and mid bulkhead. The chrome guide is actually under the carpet. I have a long, slender grommet that fits in a hole in the carpet at the sill. The buckle and webbing pass through that grommet to remain accessible.

The inboard side, of course, has the female pushbutton buckle which is simply bolted to the trans. tunnel. There are two small "buckets" in the console in which the buckles can "nap" when not in use.

mrvette

Gotta admit I dunno about '68 vette belts directly, but I suspect any seatbelt mech from anything close to that era will supply parts enough that IF you are careful, will work fine....

it's what I did.....in another car....

for my '72 here I just bought generic belts at a car show, and modded them to work in the vette, been there nearly flawless for 9 years now....

GENE

Big Fish

Back seat belts from late model Camaro's work. Do a search for redwingvette on this web site. He has his own website where the entire procedure is explained. Originality was quite important when I was doing mine.

LemansBlue68

I think the early '68 cars had the retractors and later ones didn't. The way the seat belt is routed and the retractor is buried under the carpet I'm surprised they worked at all when new. I'll bet they were deleted because of warranty issues. I still think I'll try and repair mine if I can find springs. My hunch is that it is one of the flat springs like a big version of a wrist watch main spring.

hudman

No retractors for me either!

I am glad. Just something else to break and/or replace.

Cali,68,L-79

Does July 68 count as late 68???