How to free up sticking seat belts

[Michael J.]

I am trying to get the seat belts in my '66 coupe to adjust. They appear to have been sitting so long they are stuck at one point on the belt. I can, with great effort, get them shorter, but they always get stuck at the long time spot with the heavy indentation in the belt and won't lengthen no matter how much I pull and tug. Is there some treatment or lubricant I can try to make them get past that point and lengthen? Thanks.

[Edward J.]

Re: How to free up sticking seat belts

Mike, seat belts were never made to be repaired, I sounds like the counter weight is hanging up(Rust??). try to spray some light oil like WD40 with a straw on the nozzle, on the mechanism it may have a plastic cover? but be careful not to get on fabric.

[Michael J.]

Re: How to free up sticking seat belts

Thanks Ed, it is a metal buckle case, but I used some silicone spray (thought it would be less greasy and messy) and it finally freed up after some time soaking and some working back and forth.

[Edward J.]

Re: How to free up sticking seat belts

that's Good Mike, its always a learning experience with vintage cars. I always like to find out what makes it tick.

[Russ S.]

Re: How to free up sticking seat belts

I completely disassembled a pair of rusty dirty 67 blue belts for a friend so he could clean them up,restore, and get them working again. I couldn't believe how great they looked and worked when he was finished with them.

[Michael J.]

Re: How to free up sticking seat belts

Interesting you mention that, I see no way to get them apart, no screws, bolts, clips, etc. How do you do it? Pry the halves parts somehow?

[Russ S.]

Re: How to free up sticking seat belts

Mike, The first step is to carefully pry open the rear of the brushed cover. It is easier than it looks. You don't need to pry it out so much that it bends. For the next step I would need one apart in front of me but it is pretty easy to figure out if a guy just goes slow and studies it as to how it was put together.

Interesting you mention that, I see no way to get them apart, no screws, bolts, clips, etc. How do you do it? Pry the halves parts somehow?

[Michael J.]

Re: How to free up sticking seat belts

In looking at them closely, I think I can see that and how it would happen. But, since these are originals and in very good condition, now that they are working, they are fixed.

[Michael F.]

Re: How to free up sticking seat belts

use them more and they shouldn't stick again

[Michael J.]

Re: How to free up sticking seat belts

Yes, but I think the trick is to adjust them more often. The car is coming from an owner of the last 35 years and unlike me, he did not gain weight and used them regularly but didn't have to adjust them out in the last 35 years.......

[Gary S.]

Re: How to free up sticking seat belts

If you disassemble the buckle and clean the triangular slider the belt goes around, it will work much better. You can clean it on a wire wheel. Or you might be able to find some that are new or replated. I got some replated ones (without pits) from a seat belt restorer. I have not seen any repro's but they may be out there. You can check out this link to disassemble.

http://s992.photobucket.com/user/vettn/library/66%2067%20Seat%20Belt%20Buckle%20Disassembly%202?sort=3&page=1

This is the culprit:

[Russ S.]

Re: How to free up sticking seat belts

Simply keep them dry and they won't lock up again.

[Michael J.]

Re: How to free up sticking seat belts

Thanks guys, they seem to be working fine now. I see no rust or corrosion, maybe just sitting in the same position for 35 years without ever being adjusted had them frozen up.

[Leif A.]

Re: How to free up sticking seat belts

Michael,
Had the same issue on the passenger side of my '67...hadn't been adjusted in ?? years. Pulled real hard and they came lose. I, then, just ran them back and forth several times and they have been fine since. Kind of like us older humans, if we just sit around all day and then try to move...well, you know