Retractable Seat Belts

Last year, I decided to upgrade Baby Blue's seat belts to retractable units, mainly because of the way my daughter moves about in the car while we're driving. I ordered a pair of retractable units from VB. Installation was a breeze, as I just mounted it directly to the rear wheel arch. However, the biggest problem I'm running into is that the one on the driver's side jams / inertia locks without any rhyme or reason. I can usually get it going again with some finagling and effort. I have it set up identical to the passenger side in terms of where all the arrows point, etc. Is this unit just a lemon, or am I missing something in the setup?

It's the angle belt is positioned at. The reel works via gravity. Tweak the mounting angle just a smidge and you should be able to get it to work.

Thanks, Jim! A little bit of tweaking seemed to do the trick. I don't think it likes the angle from the retractor to how it goes over the top of the bucket ('69 had the unique bucket seat / headrest combination). I mounted directly to the wheel arch instead of using a bracket. I figured less bolts between the retractor and the body would give it more of a chance of doing what it is supposed to in an accident: keep me from eating the steering wheel.

Glad I could help

SaxMan said:

Thanks, Jim! A little bit of tweaking seemed to do the trick. I don't think it likes the angle from the retractor to how it goes over the top of the bucket ('69 had the unique bucket seat / headrest combination). I mounted directly to the wheel arch instead of using a bracket. I figured less bolts between the retractor and the body would give it more of a chance of doing what it is supposed to in an accident: keep me from eating the steering wheel.

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