Shoulder belts

Jari · Post by **Jari** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 10:45 pm

I'm looking for shoulder belts set from junk yard, but all I have seen come out freely, no matter how fast I pull them. It feels like the ratchet mechanism is stuck open on all of them, or is there something I haven't figured out. The belts I have seen vary from early 70s to 80s.

Thanks,
Jari

flyboy2610 · Post by **flyboy2610** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 5:14 pm

http://www.julianos.com/seat_belts.html

These guys have new seat belts, and they come with retractors.

Post by **FORDification** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 5:42 pm

Since I believe those operate with inertia-driven counterweights and very light springs, it's entirely possible that they either have broken springs and/or mild corrosion inside, just enough to keep them from locking up when they're supposed to. I've never actually torn one apart though, so I could be wrong. I'd imagine they could be cleaned up and serviced to bring them back up to specs though. I'll have to take one apart to to see what makes 'em tick!

alvinator · Post by **alvinator** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:56 am

since we are on belts, i was wonder for those who have the 3-part, do you have scratch marks around the top bracket? if you do or don't, did you put something behind it to not scratch the paint?

darics · Post by **darics** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:52 am

I deconstructed the belts in the car I had when I was a kid which was a '76 Mercury. The pendulum that locked them had no spring whatsoever. It was strictly inertial. It would never lock up just from pulling on it. The only way you'd know if the belt was functioning properly would be to remove the belt from the vehicle and then 'tilt' the mechanism while you pulled the belt out. The weight on the pendulum is designed to swing forward in the event of an accident and lock the belt up.

qman · Post by **qman** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:35 am

darics is right, I took one apart just like he did. There's a little pendulum that swings and locks the belt. You pulling them out fast has no effect on the locking mechanism.

wildcard · Post by **wildcard** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:17 pm

When you come to a sudden stop or deceleration, it swings forward or back and locks the belt. And no spring involved.At least on the ones I've seen.

Jari · Post by **Jari** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 8:29 pm

Thanks for the info. Went back to junkyard today and they work like you guys said. Well, I didn't get them anyway yet. Didn't have long breaker bar with me to remove the floor bolts which have rusted pretty bad on all of the trucks there. And I bet with long breaker bar I will destroy the torx head of those bolts next, and they still don't come out. But have to try anyway one more time.

Jari

FLATBEDFORD · Post by **FLATBEDFORD** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:48 am

How about new ones? Seatbelts should work if you ever do need them! Why take the chance? New ones may be a few bucks, but what are your teeth, nose, life worth?

foghorn · Post by **foghorn** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 9:11 pm

If your gonna use new bolts take a 24" pipe wrench with you or a very good set of vise grips

steve

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