Seat Belt Retractor for 1980 LeMans

[Tim1980L]

I was going to do some touch-up painting on the inside door column of my 1980 Pontiac LeMans 2-door, and I decided to unscrew the seat belt retractor since it didn't seem to be under tension like the one on the passenger side. I just pulled the mechanism out of the door frame, and for the life of me I can't figure out how this thing is supposed to be connected, or if it is broken. So I searched the interwebs and found no info; called the local dealership that used to sell/service Pontiacs, and they couldn't find any reference to the part. No one could remember ever replacing one either. Called a couple body shops, they didn't know how it worked either. Anyone know how to tell if the thing is broken - or how to get it installed again so that it does work?

 

[grandamman]

Yours is broken. The spring was so rusted that the black plastic end broke befor the spring could rotate.
All 2 door G body cars use the same type so they are easy to find. They are drivers/passenger side specific.
Heres and ebay link, but I'm sure someone here has 1 or more.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seat-Belt-Seatb ... 57&vxp=mtr

 

[mebe007]

i would contact Brian weaver of gbodyparts.com. he helped me get one to replace a broken one off my car.

 

[Tim1980L]

Yours is broken. The spring was so rusted that the black plastic end broke befor the spring could rotate.
All 2 door G body cars use the same type so they are easy to find. They are drivers/passenger side specific.
Heres and ebay link, but I'm sure someone here has 1 or more.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seat-Belt-Seatb ... 57&vxp=mtr

Both of mine are broken - the black tab is missing from the one on the passenger side, too, although it is still under tension.
Followed your link and have two replacements on the way. Do these just slide right back in?
Thanks!

 

[tc1959]

I got mine at GM Classic Parts they even have the gasket ,They are not cheep Over $30 bucks but most of the ones in the bone yard are broken or rusted. The red End goes into a slot on the side of the belt retractor.

 

[Tim1980L]

i would contact Brian weaver of gbodyparts.com. he helped me get one to replace a broken one off my car.

Thanks for the link - I need sources for parts!

 

[mebe007]

i would contact Brian weaver of gbodyparts.com. he helped me get one to replace a broken one off my car.

Thanks for the link - I need sources for parts!

Best way to get ahold of him is by email

 

[Tim1980L]

Got the new one's installed - seems like an odd design since now the paint on the door is starting to wear. Is there supposed to be a pad of some sort that was attached to the door originally to protect the paint?