replace older seatbelts

gchappel · 06-14-2003, 02:52 AM

Seatbelt question.
I have an 85 carrera- seat belts look fine. In SCCA racing we are now required to replace our belts every 2 years, as there is some data that belts rapidly lose their strength after being exposed to the elements. It makes me wonder as I pull on 20 year old belts to go out on the road- which is much more dangerous than the track-does the same degradation occur to our street belts?? As the owners of older cars should we replace our belts, hardware?? If so, are there any reputable companies that could reweb our hardware, or where do I find new belts? Think safe.
Thanks
Gary

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 06-14-2003, 04:05 AM

I replaced both belts in my '83 SC as a matter of course when I bought it several years ago.

Stephan

DByers · 06-14-2003, 06:00 AM

When I replaced belts in my 71 I upgraded to retractables. Got them new through PEParts
They should be able to take care of you.

CHILI · CHILI's Garage

I just got my carpet kit and figured if I have to take the rear quarter panels off, I might consider replacing my stock belts. After-all they are 30 years old. Has anybody tried "re-webbing" theirs? I recall a past thread about somebody in San Diego who does this. Anybody remember that thread and can help me locate it? I obviously searched since I'm resurecting this one.

I checked the link above, but they're a little out of my budget right now, and the rewebbing kits they offer seem to only be for 86 and on cars.

I know, I know... is $300 really too high for a possible life saving device??? Well, I've spent too much on it latley and plan to put a cage and 4 point belts in the next year or two, so I don't want to spend so much.

Randy Webb · 01-13-2004, 12:59 PM

Early cars used VW parts - but my VW dealer doesn't know anything about them.

Try a Google on VW seat belts -- you'll find several vendors.

PEP was nothing but trouble for me -- will never use them again.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by DByers
When I replaced belts in my 71 I upgraded to retractables. Got them new through PEParts
They should be able to take care of you.

Good belts...watch out for the owner, he's a bit crusty. Work with his help...more user friendly. Ask me how I know....

sfmlaw17 · 01-14-2004, 01:15 PM

The first thing that I did was to replace my rear belts. Try a place called Andover Restraints. www.andoauto.com. They were easy to work with and fast.

OldTee · 01-14-2004, 03:29 PM

I emailed them a week ago. All I heard was zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Shuie · 01-14-2004, 04:27 PM

Pelican can probably get you replacements. I bought a set from peparts, no problems. Stoddard has them as well.

Wil Ferch · 01-15-2004, 09:02 AM

There was an article in Upfixin' ( or Pano...same thing)...that alludes to the % strength loss over time.

I don't have immediate recall on which volume it can be found in...but I do recall being impressed by numbers that were something like a 75% loss over 6-10 years ... ( don't quote me...but it was something substantial like that.)

---Wil Ferch