I did a search but didn't see any posts showing the disassembly/reassembly/restoration of the female seat belt receivers. Mine are pictured below. I've ordered new stickers but would like to replate the screws on the back and the main steel portion (mine were very corroded where they bolt into the car; I put POR15 on them a couple of years ago but I'd rather disassemble, media blast and replate the whole thing). Any advice based on past experience with disassembly/reassembly would be much appreciated (as always).

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Try including as the person who posted “PRS914-6” I think?

Paul for sure did the reel side. He even sold the ‘PRESS’ stickers for a time. Then, after building one of the nicest conversions ever and selling it, he moved on to wildlife photography. I’m still in touch but I wouldn’t bother him with this. He’s moved on...

Just remove the 4 small screws you see on the backside and the two plastic top/bottom parts can be carefully pried apart.
The screws are small so be easy on the removal so as not to mess up the topside plastic.
Once they are removed it becomes obvious what can be cleaned up and this also lets you replace the "Press" sticker which are available.

I have never taken one apart.

Mark..
It's really not too bad of disassembly ...nothing springs out at you unless it's broken.
It's not like the shoulder reel belt return units on the later model 914s.
You definitely have to be very careful with these or you will be wearing a long and sharp coil spring.
This unit can be disassembled and cleaned but you just have to keep the coiled spring contained. The belt is held in by a metal rod and can be replaced or removed for cleaning.
Again I stress caution with the spring!
Neither of these jobs are difficult but you just have to take your time and be alert to the design and placement of the parts.

Thanks, guys. I took one apart and per Jonhora they come apart easily and without drama. I'm investigating heat shrink tubing replacement and, if available, these should restore nicely.

I know the OP is talking about the receivers but there has been mention of the retracting part as well.

I took two of them somewhat apart recently - but I did NOT take the cover (the thinner of the two) that houses the coil spring off.

Instead, I fully extended the belt and then pushed the webbing back thru the metal bar where it is held by another bar that runs through a pocket in the belt. Slide the bar out but be mindful that the bar will spin (quickly) if released.

I put a screwdriver in the slot that kept the retractor in this position while I put the belt in a bucket of Woolite-water and washed 'em out and hung them out to dry.

While they were drying, I took the screwdriver through the slot and advanced the rod to the point where it wouldn't go any more and then backed off a half-turn. It did seem to add significantly to the amount of tension in the retraction action.

I did add a small amount of silicone lube to where the bar spins and then put the belt back through the slot, securing it with the pin. It retracted quite well and I'll be putting them back in the car in a couple of weeks. I'll report back....probably in a separate thread.

I do have you covered on the PRESS stickers
https://900designs-container.zoeysite.com/s...elt-press-decal

$2.99

@Mikey914 Mark, I didn't know that you carry the stickers or I'd have asked you to put them in with my visors (still in transit). Mine are from Pelican (I believe made by Carbone). They look nice to me but I've since been made aware that they are not a perfect reproduction because the 'R' is incorrect (see pic below the sticker next to the original). The image on your website also looks the same. If possible, it might be a good idea for you to change the R and not only have the best price but also the most correct replacement.

Now what kind of anal retentive a-hole would even notice such a thing?

I'm Canadian but I'll plead the 5th anyway.

Oh man! This little exchange made me laugh my butt off...
Thanks for keeping it real

What kind of a hole would not catch this before production.

Hey every order gong out will get free seat belt PRESS stickers!

Yeah, but the Ss look pretty good.

I finally had some time to complete the restoration on the seat belt receivers. Replated the steel bases and screws, repaired and cleaned the wires as well as the connector, new 4-1 heat shrink, new stickers, and SEM plastic paint. I'm really pleased with the result. I wish the retractable part would be this easy...

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^^^^Nice.

I'm re-installing my retractors today and I'm hopeful they'll be improved. I didn't take them apart but did pull the belts all the way out and removed and washed them. I shot some penetrating lube in both sides of the axle and then re-wound it to maximum (til it stops) and then backed off half a turn. Cleaned up the other external hardware, re-installed the belt and I think i'm good to go. Lots o dirt comes off those belts even when they look clean.

@90quattrocoupe Thanks, I'm really happy with them.
@Flacaproductions Even with your description, I'm kind of at a loss of where to begin with these retractors.

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My understanding is that the webbing should be replaced at this point due to age. This is one job where I wish there was a complete one-stop-shop for a like new restoration (including correct labels).

+1 we have three sets waiting to be restored...

Looks good. Where did you get the 4-1 heat shrink?

Thanks. Brent Brock taught me about DigiKey for electronic-related items. They have a wide assortment of heat shrink (and connectors). Here's a link to the one I used:

https://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/Q2...GZQbWJ0RlwvOSJ9

Thank you! Just ordered from the .com site.

No, the ‘S’ is not right either. The transition from top to bottom is too smooth.

Nice work Doug Thanks for the tip on the SEM plastic paint. I may have to steal that idea for my belts.

A typesetter

Bob B

Or a forger.

Thanks, Brent. I should add that I also washed with Dawn, scuffed with a grey scotchbrite, washed again, dried well, and used a generic adhesion prompter prior to applying the paint.

How did you replate the section that bolts to the center console?

@doug_b_928 and @Jett - just hold the mechanism in the same orientation that it is in the car so that the belt will release. Pull it ALL the way out and then grab the axle and push the belt back out thru the slot in the axle.

There is a pin that keeps the belt from pulling it back through - it slides out of the pocket in the belt and then (and this is important) WHILE STILL HOLDING THE AXLE AND PREVENTING IT FROM SPINNING, pull the belt back out of the slot.

At this point, I used a small screw driver slipped thru the slot to keep the axle from spinning out. When you're ready, you can then grab the axle, remove the screwdriver and then start spinning the axle against the tension until it stop. Then back off half a turn or so and reinsert the belt and install the pin, pulling the belt tight back into the slot.

Just be careful to not let the axle go as it'll spin out and release all tension. It's not a big deal and you can just spin it back again and all is well.

While I had the the belt off, I removed all the hardware I could and washed the belt in some warm soapy water before hanging to dry and then reinstalling....just make sure you get the hardware on in the right orientation and order.

The YouTube channel ‘Mike’s Restorations’ has a very detailed video on electroplating with everything you need to know and more. I highly recommend it if you’re interested in plating. Here’s a link: https://youtu.be/hTupOgImpWo

Great call on the suggestion of Krylon plastic paint. That combined with some new stickers with the wrong font on the "R" and they're good to go!

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