Replacing Seat Belts

[Dano944]

On my ‘83 944, the drivers seat belt is frayed and it jams in the plastic belt guide. I’d like to replace it. Is that something I can do, or is it a “shop only” replacement? Does a new belt come with a new plastic belt slider guide? If not, I can’t see how a new belt would install through the old guide.

[v2rocket_aka944]

The seat belts are super easy to remove on a 944.
The hardest part is getting the interior quarter panel off (which requires removing the small side window).

[Monkey Wrench]

a safety harness , like a roofer will use, has a lifespan and may not meet safety requirements after 2-5 years and that is probably quite dependent on where you work and what country. some employers have rules that are more strict than the official safety authorities. I've seen them pulled from use simply because someone wrote on them with a marker pen and then it's feared that this could affect stitching.

I've never heard of a car seat belt needing to be replaced because of age for a car's safety, nor have I ever changed one.

old ones make good seat webbing , some car and old chairs have webbing underneath. My old 66 Volvo had rubber straps, now replaced with seat belt webbing. I sometimes like to restore old furniture and it has similar webbing.

I think they may apply loctite to the bolts and use a high grade bolt so I wouldn't replace that with just any old bolt. I might reuse the old ones but maybe use a bit of locktite or similar just so they dont unscrew themselves.

sometimes cars sit outside and get a bit moldy, then are cleaned up... that might rot the stitching?

[Dano944]

Originally Posted by v2rocket_aka944

The seat belts are super easy to remove on a 944.
The hardest part is getting the interior quarter panel off (which requires removing the small side window).

Removing the small side window? Is this a job for a body shop or a repair shop who can replace windows? And I’m assuming that the rubber moulding around the glass would need to be replaced due to age?

[originalowner]

Originally Posted by Dano944

Removing the small side window? Is this a job for a body shop or a repair shop who can replace windows? And I’m assuming that the rubber moulding around the glass would need to be replaced due to age?

Once you do this you will wonder why every 944 has not been stolen. Plenty of videos.

[Dano944]

Originally Posted by originalowner

Once you do this you will wonder why every 944 has not been stolen. Plenty of videos.

Hmmm, I’ll look into this. By looking at the inside quarter panel, it looks like I would only need to pop off the plastic cover, but then I’m wondering how you feed a seat belt through the slot and the guide without cutting the belt. I’m assuming there is a way to do this that’s not readily visible.

[v2rocket_aka944]

the belt fits through that slot easily.
no need to replace the window rubber

[curtisr]

Originally Posted by v2rocket_aka944

The seat belts are super easy to remove on a 944.
The hardest part is getting the interior quarter panel off (which requires removing the small side window).

I've removed and replaced seat belts a couple of times ('87 924s) and the only reason one might wish to remove the window in my experience anyways would be because the vinyl panel covering doesn't always pull away nicely from under the rubber. If it does then lucky you. If it doesn't, you can cut the material where it meets the window gasket.

[MaSnaka]

I purchased a used seatbelt on epay. I dont recall the installation being complicated. I definitely did not remove the window. 1986 '44

Good luck John

[Dano944]

Originally Posted by MaSnaka

I purchased a used seatbelt on epay. I dont recall the installation being complicated. I definitely did not remove the window. 1986 '44

Good luck John

John, is there wires and connections for the seat belt light? Any issues with those?

[MaSnaka]

At Dano,
I did not replace the receiver only the lap strap with shoulder harness. The receiver would have the wiring which would connect under the seat.

John

[Dano944]

Originally Posted by MaSnaka

At Dano,
I did not replace the receiver only the lap strap with shoulder harness. The receiver would have the wiring which would connect under the seat.

John

Ahhh, thanks. All I need to replace is the shoulder strap that retracts into the quarter panel. My plan would be to buy a replacement belt and only replace the shoulder strap. And hopefully the male buckle would fit into the OEM female receiver buckle.