Seat Belt Retraction Fix

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Oct 13, 2009 | 11:47 PM

terrible1one3

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Racer

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From: Bristow VA

Seat Belt Retraction Fix

Is there a simple fix out there to resolve some weak seat belt retraction in the C5?

Both seat belts (Passenger and Driver) don't retract all the way and flop over into the door sill and on the seat.

Is there a DIY for replacing some kind of spring? I would really like to avoid the $236 and $121 for the Driver and passenger assemblies.

I have searched but could not find anything.

Thank you!

Mike

Oct 14, 2009 | 03:26 AM

racetchr

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From: Charlotte NC

Oct 14, 2009 | 09:42 AM

87SAM

Safety Car

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From: Boise ID

I have heard of people simply blowing compressed air into the retracting mechanism to clean out the dust bunnies which has worked, at least for awhile.

Oct 14, 2009 | 10:02 PM

SPS

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Joined: Jul 2001

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From: Winsdor ON

I had a "weak" seat belt on my driver's side. When I replaced the retractor, I opened up the old one, and the spring had totally turned to rust. It turns out water had been leaking in from the door-roof interface, running down the seat belt, and into the retractor. If you have the same problem, there is no fix other than replacement.

Oct 14, 2009 | 11:05 PM

terrible1one3

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Racer

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From: Bristow VA

I will try the compressed air.

I don't currently have a water leak though that doesn't mean the previous owner didn't have one. Is there any way to take apart the re-tractor like you did and replace the spring without destroying it?

Oct 15, 2009 | 05:51 PM

SPS

Instructor

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From: Winsdor ON

That was a couple of years ago that I took my retractor apart. When my spring started coming out as a pile of red dust, I knew it was history. I don't recall its construction well enough to be positive if it could be serviced, but my gut feeling is - no. My other gut feeling is that your problem is more than just a little dust in the retractor.
It was pretty easy to replace though. You have to pop off the plastic trim panel along the sill, and the one moving up beside the seat-back.

Was $236 for the driver's side ? If so, you might want to get a price from another dealer. I paid less than $200, and I am in Canada --- we normally pay more up here.

Oct 15, 2009 | 06:05 PM

terrible1one3

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Racer

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From: Bristow VA

I just got the price from gmpartsdirect.com, they are usually pretty cheap, I'll ask the local Chevy dealer.

Think a NAPA or something like that would be able to get it for cheaper?

Thanks for the replies.

Oct 15, 2009 | 06:21 PM

SPS

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From: Winsdor ON

Try this ---- roll up the windows and close the doors. Now go the rear hatch and slam it shut.
When I do that, the air pressure surge pops the top of side windows out from their seal against the roof weatherstrip. That's how water got in.
Didn't do that when it was new, but I got over 100,000 miles on it now.