Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

> Retractable seat belts, please, educate me
thieuster
post Jun 3 2015, 03:54 AM
Post #1


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 447
Joined: 31-January 15
From: 275 mls NW from Stuttgart.
Member No.: 18,384
Region Association: Europe
My car came with three fixed seat belts. But I don't trust 42 y/old seat belts with unknown history. So I want to change over to retractable seat belts. My MY 73 model already has the bolt holes behind the rear padding where the reel should be placed.

I think it's not wise searching for NOS & period correct seat belts. More modern aftermarkets items are my first port of call. But before I hand over the cash, what are the do's and don'ts.

As said: please educate me!

Menno
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
2 Pages V < 1 2  
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
Replies(20 - 33)
Cairo94507
post Jun 3 2015, 07:46 PM
Post #21


Michael
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 9,783
Joined: 1-November 08
From: Auburn, CA
Member No.: 9,712
Region Association: Northern California
So I take it NOS early belts are not available?
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Larmo63
post Jun 3 2015, 07:58 PM
Post #22


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,264
Joined: 3-March 14
From: San Clemente, Ca
Member No.: 17,068
Region Association: Southern California
The 944 belts do look cool and fit well. I may be able to source some. I have an NOS belt driver's side, and a '73 911 belt in perfect condition passenger side.

My firewall is Perlon, so they are out there for the world to see. I like them, they work and retract perfectly.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
SKL1
post Jun 3 2015, 08:12 PM
Post #23


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,602
Joined: 19-February 11
From: north Scottsdale
Member No.: 12,732
Region Association: Upper MidWest
Another vote for seatbeltplanet here. They rebuilt the retractable ones for my '73 and I added red belts to match the car.
Have the B pillar mounted mechanism on my '71 like shown above. Not very "pretty" but they work, and aren't 45 years old!!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
arsprod
post Jun 4 2015, 11:52 AM
Post #24


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 199
Joined: 14-March 15
From: Indianapolis
Member No.: 18,519
Region Association: Upper MidWest
QUOTE(Chris914n6 @ Jun 3 2015, 05:59 PM) *

I took my retractables apart, cleaned and lubed, and put them back together with new belts. Now they color match my interior (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)


What did you use for replacement belts? I was going to clean and lube my "former" retractables and hadn't thought about replacing the belts and re-use the retractor. Clever idea
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
McMark
post Jun 4 2015, 12:18 PM
Post #25


914 Freak!
***************

Group: Retired Admin
Posts: 20,179
Joined: 13-March 03
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Member No.: 419
Region Association: None
In my estimation, there are two major reasons the belts stop retracting correctly.

1. Frayed webbing material.
2. Chipping and flaking chrome on the guide rail.

I'm sure the spring looses a bit of force by now, but I think those other two aspects are MUCH more important. So getting the webbing redone and rechroming the rail should make most old belts work fine.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
arsprod
post Jun 4 2015, 12:20 PM
Post #26


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 199
Joined: 14-March 15
From: Indianapolis
Member No.: 18,519
Region Association: Upper MidWest
QUOTE(McMark @ Jun 4 2015, 02:18 PM) *

In my estimation, there are two major reasons the belts stop retracting correctly.

1. Frayed webbing material.
2. Chipping and flaking chrome on the guide rail.

I'm sure the spring looses a bit of force by now, but I think those other two aspects are MUCH more important. So getting the webbing redone and rechroming the rail should make most old belts work fine.


Chipping and flaking? You mean those things that are brown with rust are supposed to be chrome?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
McMark
post Jun 4 2015, 12:25 PM
Post #27


914 Freak!
***************

Group: Retired Admin
Posts: 20,179
Joined: 13-March 03
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Member No.: 419
Region Association: None
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) Yup!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Dave_Darling
post Jun 4 2015, 06:41 PM
Post #28


914 Idiot
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 14,990
Joined: 9-January 03
From: Silicon Valley / Kailua-Kona
Member No.: 121
Region Association: Northern California
QUOTE(McMark @ Jun 4 2015, 11:18 AM) *

In my estimation, there are two major reasons the belts stop retracting correctly.


You forgot what is likely the #1 reason:

Dirt.

Clean the webbing with something gentle like Woolite--you'd be amazed how much dirt comes out of them. They tend to retract better when they're not full of dirt.

--DD
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Kansas 914
post Jun 4 2015, 07:18 PM
Post #29


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,999
Joined: 1-March 03
From: Durango, Colorado
Member No.: 373
Region Association: Rocky Mountains
QUOTE(Dave_Darling @ Jun 4 2015, 06:41 PM) *


You forgot what is likely the #1 reason:

Dirt.

Clean the webbing with something gentle like Woolite--you'd be amazed how much dirt comes out of them. They tend to retract better when they're not full of dirt.

--DD

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

Looks like I have a project for tomorrow!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
thieuster
post Jun 4 2015, 11:29 PM
Post #30


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 447
Joined: 31-January 15
From: 275 mls NW from Stuttgart.
Member No.: 18,384
Region Association: Europe
Solved. I found a neat set of belts on the shelf of a local motorfactors. It's originally an aftermarket set for the rear seats of a family saloon. They were on the shelf for ages (really been gathering dust - it felt like the History Channel's American Pickers!).

The guy behind the counter handed me the pair and told me to give it a try. And come back to pay them only after I'd tested them on the car.

Sets me back 90 euros.

Menno

Two pics:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i211.photobucket.com-18384-1433515387.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i211.photobucket.com-18384-1433515387.2.jpg)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Chris914n6
post Jun 5 2015, 02:24 PM
Post #31


Jackstands are my life.
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,323
Joined: 14-March 03
From: Las Vegas, NV
Member No.: 431
Region Association: Southwest Region
QUOTE(arsprod @ Jun 4 2015, 10:52 AM) *

QUOTE(Chris914n6 @ Jun 3 2015, 05:59 PM) *

I took my retractables apart, cleaned and lubed, and put them back together with new belts. Now they color match my interior (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)


What did you use for replacement belts? I was going to clean and lube my "former" retractables and hadn't thought about replacing the belts and re-use the retractor. Clever idea


The local auto upholstery supplier sells webbing in various colors, but has to be sewn with a commercial strength machine.

I took the rear belts and front buckles with hardware from a parted Infiniti J30. The dark brown bolt covers came off a Pathfinder/Hardbody. All the bolt sizes matched so it was easy.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/lh3.googleusercontent.com-431-1433535845.1.jpg) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/lh3.googleusercontent.com-431-1433535846.2.jpg)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
arsprod
post Jun 5 2015, 05:34 PM
Post #32


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 199
Joined: 14-March 15
From: Indianapolis
Member No.: 18,519
Region Association: Upper MidWest
QUOTE(Chris914n6 @ Jun 5 2015, 04:24 PM) *

QUOTE(arsprod @ Jun 4 2015, 10:52 AM) *

QUOTE(Chris914n6 @ Jun 3 2015, 05:59 PM) *

I took my retractables apart, cleaned and lubed, and put them back together with new belts. Now they color match my interior (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)


What did you use for replacement belts? I was going to clean and lube my "former" retractables and hadn't thought about replacing the belts and re-use the retractor. Clever idea


The local auto upholstery supplier sells webbing in various colors, but has to be sewn with a commercial strength machine.

I took the rear belts and front buckles with hardware from a parted Infiniti J30. The dark brown bolt covers came off a Pathfinder/Hardbody. All the bolt sizes matched so it was easy.


Looks very nice! Is there a Nissan salvage yard near you?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Dave_Darling
post Jun 5 2015, 09:34 PM
Post #33


914 Idiot
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 14,990
Joined: 9-January 03
From: Silicon Valley / Kailua-Kona
Member No.: 121
Region Association: Northern California
Bolt sizes are standardized--they're not even metric, in fact.

--DD
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Chris914n6
post Jun 5 2015, 11:33 PM
Post #34


Jackstands are my life.
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,323
Joined: 14-March 03
From: Las Vegas, NV
Member No.: 431
Region Association: Southwest Region
QUOTE(arsprod @ Jun 5 2015, 04:34 PM) *

Looks very nice! Is there a Nissan salvage yard near you?

The two pic-a-part locations average around 60 Nissans at any time.
Mainly, I've owned a few Nissans and have worked on many more. I find the engineering is pretty good and straight forward, plus all the vehicles in a given decade share part design.
I bought the J30 wrecked for the drivetrain and put the rest of the good stuff in boxes until I found a use or sold them. The gauge cluster fits better than the 300zx I originally installed so I swapped it. Their bolts are really nice too.

QUOTE(Dave_Darling @ Jun 5 2015, 08:34 PM) *

Bolt sizes are standardized--they're not even metric, in fact.

--DD

7/16-20 by suprise. I discovered that cleaning out a double threaded nut. The shoulder was a different diameter so I had to use the J30 hardware.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

2 Pages V < 1 2
Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Switch to: Standard · Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 23rd May 2024 - 03:25 PM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2024  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...