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Is the belt frayed ? You need a new belt.
pic a parts might sell you one.
No the belt looks good, just kinda dirty from sweat I guess. I did soak it in soap then massaged it and rinsed in clean water, let air dry. It is softer and more pliable than it was. It still doesnt retract, like there is not a lot of tension on the spring to do so , I have to constantly throw it into the seat when I get out so the door doesnt slam on it in the jamb. Since cleaning it still doesnt retract well but after I return from the store to the car it has since retracted where it didnt before. To me it seems that the guide on the pillar is the culprit, like it hangs up going through that slot like its not wide enough for the thickness of the belt? if you wiggle that or the belt it seems to feed through fine and retract, not sure what the deal is, I thought to spray everything with dry silicone spray and see if that helps, just havent gotten to it yet. Juggling a lot of projects between this and that since the weather has been nicer.
If you have an air compressor, try blowing about 50 psi in the retainer cover. I did this to a friends Impala (remember those) who had the same problem and it worked. Ultimately it was a candy mint wrapper.
Think I fixed it ? I used a screwdriver to "widen" that gap and it seems to retract fine for now... if it does it again Ill rip that rubber-ish piece of crap out of there. as that seems to be whats hanging it up creating a drag.
Look at your seat belt where you took the picture. That black part( it’s plastic, not rubber) appears to be broken off at the edge. Maybe that jagged edge is causing the belt to bind up.
I think you are correct Firemangeorge..... Look at the right edge of the seat belt. it appears to be illuminated but, I believe it looks more like wear from rubbing on something.....and it is slightly torn or has a fray on it.
Last edited by Snoopy; Mar 30, 2023 at 07:57 PM.
Reason: name change for proper credit.
Look at your seat belt where you took the picture. That black part( it’s plastic, not rubber) appears to be broken off at the edge. Maybe that jagged edge is causing the belt to bind up.
no its apparently some sort of paint, just rubbed down to metal. The seat belt is working fine since I pried that rubber thing up a bit, it was dragging on the belt. Now it zips right in when I take it off. nothing jagged or sharp, all is smooth, just rubbed off paint.
I just went out to get a couple better pics, when you run your finger on it you cant feel anything, its smooth, no lips or edges to catch your fingernails... just worn off paint. More wear on the forward part than the rear due to the stress on the belt when pulled or worn I suppose.
