Repo shoulder belts from Willcox
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 106
From: Cortlandt Manor NY
Repo shoulder belts from Willcox
Has anyone bought a complete set of seat belts with shoulder belts from Willcox? I bought a set for my 69 and can’t get the shoulder belts to ‘lock’ into the lap belts. The stud on the lap belts appears to be too big to fit the slot on the shoulder belts. I’ve tried different ways and not looking to force it on. I reached out the Willcox last year and they initially got back to me saying they would check it out but I haven’t heard back from him again on it.
Am I missing something or somehow doing something wrong????
Thanks,
Pat
Am I missing something or somehow doing something wrong????
Thanks,
Pat
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 245
Likes: 120
From: Montreal, Canada
I also just received my complete set (including shoulder belts) for my 1970. I didn't buy from Willcox, I bought them from Seatbelt Planet. However, I believe they are the same.
Unfortunately, my car is in storage along with the belts which are still in their box. They are being installed during the winter.
I experienced the same situation as you. If memory serves me well, I noticed what I believe was a piece of plastic around the "nipple" part of the lap belt where the shoulder buckle hole clicks into.
I'm going to give Seatbelt Planet a shout tomorrow and inquire. I also didn't want to force anything at the time so I let it be for now.
I'd be curious to see what anyone who may chime in has to say.
Unfortunately, my car is in storage along with the belts which are still in their box. They are being installed during the winter.
I experienced the same situation as you. If memory serves me well, I noticed what I believe was a piece of plastic around the "nipple" part of the lap belt where the shoulder buckle hole clicks into.
I'm going to give Seatbelt Planet a shout tomorrow and inquire. I also didn't want to force anything at the time so I let it be for now.
I'd be curious to see what anyone who may chime in has to say.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 245
Likes: 120
From: Montreal, Canada
I spoke with Steve at Seatbelt Planet and he informed me that it's a bushing which is supposed to be there. Do not remove it.
Apply as much pressure as needed in order to secure in place. It should be quite snug.
Eventually, the amount of pressure needed will lessen.
Cheers.
Apply as much pressure as needed in order to secure in place. It should be quite snug.
Eventually, the amount of pressure needed will lessen.
Cheers.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 106
From: Cortlandt Manor NY
Thanks for getting to the bottom of it. I tried using considerably force to get it on before and couldn’t get it. I didn’t want to break out some pliers to try and get leverage. Let me know if your able to force yours on.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 245
Likes: 120
From: Montreal, Canada
I'll let you know. It may be a while though, my car is in storage.
If you are able to succeed before me, you let me know.
I was also thinking of contacting the manufacturer themselves, just to be on the safe side and do my due diligence. Maybe I'll give them a shout today, depends on how my workday goes.
In any event, pliers may be the order of the day. Should anything go wrong, at least I've put everyone on notice.
If you are able to succeed before me, you let me know.
I was also thinking of contacting the manufacturer themselves, just to be on the safe side and do my due diligence. Maybe I'll give them a shout today, depends on how my workday goes.
In any event, pliers may be the order of the day. Should anything go wrong, at least I've put everyone on notice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,241
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
Pat, just put my new shoulder harnesses in my 69 and hooked them up today coincidentally, They were extremely tight where the shoulder belt clips to the lap belt stud. It did go though. I definitely had to use a lot of force. My belts are from Seat Belt solutions.
Bill
Bill
Last edited by 69ttop502; Jan 27, 2021 at 04:30 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 245
Likes: 120
From: Montreal, Canada
So, I finally spoke with Carlos at Seatbelt Solutions yesterday (he's a busy guy) 
.
As per Carlos, it's supposed to be tight and it's done like this on purpose. They will clip in, you just have to apply enough pressure and twist in a "clockwise/anti-clockwise" fashion, back and forth, back and forth. Should not be a problem, and no tools required. Enough hand pressure is all that's needed. The stud "nipple" on the Seatbelt Solutions lap belt is a bit thicker than the original (OEM) part on purpose. It was discovered during testing that the slightly smaller diameter of the original "stud nipple" part would fail, the shoulder keyhole metal clip would come off the stud during severe impact, on occasion.
And, for this reason, GM eventually changed the belt design on future models.
This is the explanation I received.
I better tell my guy before he takes a hammer to the buckles.
Cheers.
.As per Carlos, it's supposed to be tight and it's done like this on purpose. They will clip in, you just have to apply enough pressure and twist in a "clockwise/anti-clockwise" fashion, back and forth, back and forth. Should not be a problem, and no tools required. Enough hand pressure is all that's needed. The stud "nipple" on the Seatbelt Solutions lap belt is a bit thicker than the original (OEM) part on purpose. It was discovered during testing that the slightly smaller diameter of the original "stud nipple" part would fail, the shoulder keyhole metal clip would come off the stud during severe impact, on occasion.
And, for this reason, GM eventually changed the belt design on future models.
This is the explanation I received.
I better tell my guy before he takes a hammer to the buckles.
Cheers.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,742
Likes: 5,605
From: AZ
In C&Ds initial test of the C8Zs, they ran the tires at 30 PSI. After the test was over, they read the OM and discovered the Cup2Rs should be run at 24 PSI cold for track events. When they tested the C8, they didn't have the track alignment on it so got significant understear. It is surprising that Chevy either doesn't provide cars for the track with track alignment or they don't provide a one page data sheet to make sure the testers know basic info, like tire pressure for testing. Other companies provide prep'd cars and an "overseer".