Underbody Seat Belt Cables - safe to clean up and re-use orig? Or better to replace?

[Scott S.]

I'm working on a 1967 coupe, but the question should apply to all older Corvettes. If the underbody seat belt cables (1967 AIM, 1ASM-G2, items 9 & 12) are in good shape with good threads on the bolt-ends, is it advisable to clean them up and re-use them?

Or is this something that should normally be replaced with a new part for safety reasons on a car that will be driven?

[John H.]

Re: Underbody Seat Belt Cables - safe to clean up and re-use orig? Or better to repl

I'm working on a 1967 coupe, but the question should apply to all older Corvettes. If the underbody seat belt cables (1967 AIM, 1ASM-G2, items 9 & 12) are in good shape with good threads on the bolt-ends, is it advisable to clean them up and re-use them?

Or is this something that should normally be replaced with a new part for safety reasons on a car that will be driven?

Scott -

If they're not corroded or frayed, I'd re-use them.

[Scott S.]

Re: Underbody Seat Belt Cables - safe to clean up and re-use orig? Or better to repl

Scott -

If they're not corroded or frayed, I'd re-use them.

Thanks John. What is the correct finish for the wire cable itself and the attaching end pieces (natural, zinc/cad, galvanized or painted)? The 1966 and 1967 judging guides (section 14 in both) don't mention the finish on this part.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Underbody Seat Belt Cables - safe to clean up and re-use orig? Or better to repl

Scott,
I sent mine out with my cad plating and had them re plated and heat treated.
The only problem is getting that black rubber sleeve that was put on before they squeezed the ends.

DOM

[Scott S.]

Re: Underbody Seat Belt Cables - safe to clean up and re-use orig? Or better to repl

Scott,
I sent mine out with my cad plating and had them re plated and heat treated.
The only problem is getting that black rubber sleeve that was put on before they squeezed the ends.

DOM

Hi Dom,

Did they cad-plate just the end pieces, or did they throw the whole assembly into the frying pan?

If I understand correctly, heat-treating parts after cadmium plating is to address "hydrogen embrittlement" issues. Is there any special precaution or consideration needed when it comes to heat-treating critical load-bearing parts, like parts associated with steering and suspension (or seat belt cables)?


About the black rubber sleeves on the cable assemblies, I found an article on the subject in a back issue on the Restorer DVD:

"Sting Ray Seat Belt Cable Restoration"
by Rich Perreault
Volume 13, #4 (Spring, 1987)
Pages 30-31

[Domenic T.]

Re: Underbody Seat Belt Cables - safe to clean up and re-use orig? Or better to repl

Scott,
They did the whole thing and it looks good.

Abouy the bearing parts, I wouldn't do those. Are you talking about the bearing cages?

DOM

[Scott S.]

Re: Underbody Seat Belt Cables - safe to clean up and re-use orig? Or better to repl

Scott,
They did the whole thing and it looks good.

Abouy the bearing parts, I wouldn't do those. Are you talking about the bearing cages?

DOM

Mostly I was wanting to know if (and how) they cad-plated the end pieces of the three seat belt cable assemblies without cad-plating the actual cables in the process.

The second part was a general question about heat-treating. I understand (from reading the archives) that heat-treating is done to eliminate the potential for "hydrogen embrittlement" after cadmium plating. That's fine for non-critical parts (e.g., interior trim screws) where an accident would not result if the cad-plated and then heat-treated part breaks.

But for parts that are critical to the safe operation of the car (suspension parts, steering parts, etc.), does the cad-plating/heat treating process compromise the strength of the metal? The same question would apply to the seat belt cable assemblies. If they would break during an accident, from the stress of the seat belts holding you in your seat, this would be not good

[Domenic T.]

Re: Underbody Seat Belt Cables - safe to clean up and re-use orig? Or better to repl

Scott,
The way it was explained to me was that the heat treating is to keep the original strength (temper)of the bolt, nut and spring.
The cable should be the same as it was after the heat treating as before.

I have the bolts for my aircraft engines plated and have never had trouble with torque.

On the other hand I got plated retainer bushings for the trailing arm from Echlers that were embritiled and cracked when I flaired them. I ordered them from LICorvette and they were not plated and flaired just fine.

You will be OK with the cad plating if you have them heat treat after plating.

Every thing gets plated in the process and is in a basket that is tumbled as it is plated . The larger parts are hung and plated.

The heat treating after cad plating is not the same as heat treating steel by heating it red and quenching it in water, oil, or what ever the yrpe metal calls for. It is mild and I think (only a guess) it is about 600 degrees after the cad plating.


DOM

[Scott S.]

Re: Underbody Seat Belt Cables - safe to clean up and re-use orig? Or better to repl

Hi Dom,

Thank you very much for taking time to explain,

Scott