Seat Belt Repair

I have a 1990 S-10. The front seat belts do not seem to be working. No matter how hard I yank on them they do not stop. Is this a simple problem that some silicone spray on the retractors would fix or does the mechanism need replacing. Also, how the hell do I get the plastic cover off off the retractors that are located in the panels behind the front seats? Having just survied a head on collision in my other vehicle, I am nervous driving with questionable seat belts in my Blazer.

The cover on the retractors is a "clam shell" plastic casing. There should be a parting line where you can slip a small putty knife into. As you gently pry, you'll see the halves are held together with multiple snap lock tangs. It's a PITA but if you carefully work at, you can open the casing.

I did this to the set on my '85 S10 and then soaked the whole belt in a tub of warm water with some TSP (trisodium phospate) disolved in it. I did this primarily to clean the webbing (the previous owner must've been a true slob). This "bath" cleaned the webbing and also removed the grunge in the retractor. I would be careful about using petroleum products around the nylon webbing....keep the stuff off the webbing.

Of course if you're unsure of the condition of the retractor/inertia reel, then I would bite the bullet and get new ones..... how much is your safety worth?

Mike

I would agree to replace them.