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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!ucbvax!hplabs!hao!kitten
From: kitten@hao.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto.tech
Subject: Re: Shoulder Belt Retractor Failure - How Do I Fix It?
Message-ID: <1981@hao.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 2-Mar-86 18:18:21 EST
Article-I.D.: hao.1981
Posted: Sun Mar  2 18:18:21 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 4-Mar-86 02:30:41 EST
References: <1664@hound.UUCP>
Sender: kitten@hao.UUCP
Organization: High Altitude Obs./NCAR, Boulder CO
Lines: 24

> The retractor on the driver's shoulder belt in my 1975 Chrysler
> Newport has stopped working.  The retractor on the lap belt still
> works fine.
> My dealer says it will cost $100 for the assembly (plus labor) to
> fix it.  Do I have any alternatives? Can I get an assembly from a 
> junk yard or ...?
**
I had a simimlar problem when I got my car used.  The passenger belt
had a GM belt latch (on a FORD!).  Belt latches are easy, those you
can get at a junk yard.  But the shoulder belt on the driver's belt
is badly frayed, in a bad accident it would break.  The FORD dealer
said it would cost $200 to fix (back in 1980) because unlike the
latches (which are bolted) the shoulder mechanism is *welded* to the
car body.  I don't know if this is the case in your car.  The dealer
told me that it's the only way to get it fixed, because of some DOT
law about seat belt repairs.  He may've been B.S.ing me, I don't know.
So far I've been living with it.  When I get my car replaced I'll be
breathing easier.  I suggest pricing around.  Heck, your life is worth
much more than $100.

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       		               !hao!kitten

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