Seatbelt retractor issue - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Mikey · 4 Weeks Ago

My retractor locks during driving when the car hits a bump that is jarring enough or during spirited driving. Then it won't release and the belt continually gets a little tighter each time it happens to click another notch retracted. I have to unbuckle and let it retract fully so I can pull it back out.

Mine is a 1991. I thought I read that the retractors had an improved design in later years. Can anyone confirm what part is recommended to replace it or some other fix?

tf95ZR1 · 4 Weeks Ago

https://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread...eatbelt+recall

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Mikey · 4 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by tf95ZR1

https://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread...eatbelt+recall

?

That recall says that the retractor locks up preventing the user from deploying it. This is not the same issue I?m experiencing. Mine always deploy. But then they get a bit overzealous and lock and ratchet tighter until I release, fully retract and redeploy.

-=Jeff=- · 4 Weeks Ago

I believe that to be the correct functionality for the seat belts..

Mikey · 4 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

I believe that to be the correct functionality for the seat belts..

It?s definitely not. It should unlock itself after a period of smooth uneventful driving. It should not just keep working itself tighter and tighter during regular driving.

-=Jeff=- · 4 Weeks Ago

Back in 1993 when I had my 89, I had the SAME thought, took the car to the dealer and was told that was the expected behavior. My 89, 90 and all the other C4s I have driven, all the same

Mikey · 4 Weeks Ago

I can assure you it?s not normal or else the design was improved in later C4. I have never owned any other car that behaved this way. And my 1994 C4 didn?t have this issue. Maybe I will just buy later year retractors.

-=Jeff=- · 4 Weeks Ago

The 1994 retractors I have will cinch the lap belt on their own after spirited driving. The shoulder belts do lock then release but the lap belts have always done this.. I have another set of belts from a 94-96
I can try but as far as I know the lap belts always worked that way

4 Weeks Ago	#1
Mikey Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 299	Seatbelt retractor issue My retractor locks during driving when the car hits a bump that is jarring enough or during spirited driving. Then it won't release and the belt continually gets a little tighter each time it happens to click another notch retracted. I have to unbuckle and let it retract fully so I can pull it back out. Mine is a 1991. I thought I read that the retractors had an improved design in later years. Can anyone confirm what part is recommended to replace it or some other fix?

4 Weeks Ago	#2
tf95ZR1 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northridge, CA Posts: 1,445	Re: Seatbelt retractor issue https://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread...eatbelt+recall ? __________________ 1995 ZR-1 #106 Blk/ Blk Owned by me since 2000. 91K miles, but not on motor :-) Mods the way I want it, Not afraid to drive it!

4 Weeks Ago	#4
-=Jeff=- Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 7,131	Re: Seatbelt retractor issue I believe that to be the correct functionality for the seat belts.. __________________ 1990 Corvette ZR-1 #1051 Watson Headers (2" Primary) - 3" Magnaflow Bullet cats - LT4 Catback Late Model IH - Plenum Coilovers - 4.10s Custom Interior NCM Lifetime Member #978

4 Weeks Ago	#6
-=Jeff=- Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 7,131	Re: Seatbelt retractor issue Back in 1993 when I had my 89, I had the SAME thought, took the car to the dealer and was told that was the expected behavior. My 89, 90 and all the other C4s I have driven, all the same __________________ 1990 Corvette ZR-1 #1051 Watson Headers (2" Primary) - 3" Magnaflow Bullet cats - LT4 Catback Late Model IH - Plenum Coilovers - 4.10s Custom Interior NCM Lifetime Member #978

4 Weeks Ago	#7
Mikey Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 299	Re: Seatbelt retractor issue I can assure you it?s not normal or else the design was improved in later C4. I have never owned any other car that behaved this way. And my 1994 C4 didn?t have this issue. Maybe I will just buy later year retractors.

4 Weeks Ago	#8
-=Jeff=- Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 7,131	Re: Seatbelt retractor issue The 1994 retractors I have will cinch the lap belt on their own after spirited driving. The shoulder belts do lock then release but the lap belts have always done this.. I have another set of belts from a 94-96 I can try but as far as I know the lap belts always worked that way __________________ 1990 Corvette ZR-1 #1051 Watson Headers (2" Primary) - 3" Magnaflow Bullet cats - LT4 Catback Late Model IH - Plenum Coilovers - 4.10s Custom Interior NCM Lifetime Member #978