Picked up seat belts from bone yard (the kind w/shoulder restains) for my '55 Town Sedan but the belts went all the way into the retractors and now won't release. After about 200 tries one did let go but retracted again before I could tie it off. Can someone help me out here...there must be a way of doing it, I don't think anything is broken. Thanks, Ron

Here are couple pictures of what I am talking about.

Some of this info I am sure you have done but its possible you may have missed some.

1. lots of WD40 on working parts you can get to.

2. the black "spring" that holds the nylon wheel in place needs to be held open some how to be able to freely turn the nylon wheel. Possibly remove that wheel. you should have a metal cam with a holder similar to the nylon one that is not allowing you to release the belt. you need to get to that and hold the catch open to turn it.

sounds easy and it is, but be careful if you find a spring it could decide to escape its happy home and ruin the belt mechanism. It is a lot of slow work but it can come apart and release the belt wheel. just go slow or avoid all the work and buy new ones. LOL  55birdman 

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Thanks Birdman,

 I'll go slow and try and figure it out, if not I'll look for some new stuff. The other belt has the same problem..fun, fun. Think you are saying I need to hold the black cam back while I slip the cover on with spring loaded arm to connect between the ball bearing on the gear facing side of black cam

Try putting the seatbelt retractor in the same position as it is mounted in the car,and gently pulling on the belt  .This may work ??? I have the same problem in my truck .If it is parked on a steep angle ,it will not release until the truck is level .There seems to  be something inside thats locks up if it is not in the level position .

Regards Lon

yblocksdownunder

Thats what you have to do. get the cam to release. Maybe when the belt retracted when you first got them they locked up or got wedged in place and its gonnabe slow till the thing releases. I had some that did the same thing in my truck . I had to practically dismantle them toget them to work . Once you get them to release you can install them and they should be fine . They seem to have a mind of their own when they wind all the way in . Good luck 55birdman

55Birdman  Hickory NC

I believe the problem I'm having is not knowing in what position to set the gear w/ notch (has green liner under it, also with notch- that moves) inside the black cover...before I replace it on retractor.

The belt is like an old window shade. when you pull it down all the way the spring has a hell of a time retracting because ther is no slack in it to "release" the spring so the shade can come up. the seat belt is oppoosite when it goes all the way in it "locks up" and ther is no play to allow the belt to move to begin to come aout. So, you have to make it believe it has room .When you do get it out you have tohold it out till you mount it then no more problems. Best thing to do there is to buckle it. Like i said it aint easy but it can be done. If you want to you can send themto me and I will do it for you. I wont charge a dime to do it. I live in North Carolina. e-mailme at eadgpdhome@msn.com  Earl 55 birdman

55Birdman  Hickory NC