The car is a 1974 Dodge Coronet (B-Body) 4-door sedan and bench seats and it has less than 33K miles since new. (I bought it at an estate sale) The issue is the driver's 3-point lap & shoulder belt. The lap belt reel extends enough belt to reach the buckle, but the shoulder belt reel locks up before it has paid out enough belt for it to be properly buckled. This is a car which has the infamous seat belt interlock system which means technically if the belts are not buckled, at least on the front seats, the car cannot be started because it kills the ignition. Well, I have disabled the seat belt interlock as the requirement was rescinded by Congress in 1975, so I can start and drive the car normally. I still want to use the belts though because it is a good idea and I don't want to get a ticket from the cops while driving to a car show. Click it or ticket have a familiar ring to anybody?
Does anyone have any ideas as to how to free up the inertia reel for the shoulder belt as this belt is the one preventing me from buckling the belts properly?
I bought a 1974 Dodge Body service manual, but it didn't have much information about the seat belts themselves or how to service them. It did describe the seat belt interlock system and pointed out where the seat sensors and warning buzzer and lamp were located in the cabin and where the mechanic's override button was located under the hood. Not much on the belts themselves though and how to fix them if they don't pull out smoothly.
I also asked this question on the B-body forum, but I received no useful replies there. Since the set up was the same for the C-bodies, I'm asking here if anyone knows of a way to fix the balky reel or am I going to have to buy a new set from a bone yard or aftermarket vendor?
You haf to take the cover off the reel to see wuts rong. Often the belt haz a fold in it wich pushez the rachet bar into the lock pozition. But it can also be dried up grease in the inertial lock parts.
The early 70z belt retractor systemz are junk. I think they figured nobodyz going to uze them anyway, so didnt spend anything on R&D. I usually replase the entire mess with a modern system from a Toyota. But if you want to stay stock, you can just poke a pin thru the belt to keep it extended to fit you.
Hello. I have a 74 Charger with the same belts. First make sure to pull belts with a slow but steady motion. If too fast they lock and be retracted back in. If no luck take it out and lubricate . DO NOT REMOVE SPRING. There is a horizontal locking bar that when pushed will retract the belt. This bar should be loose. If not some places may fix them or get replacements. Vic