Seat belt help

[Randall C]

Any great wisdom on how to access and replace Seat belt retractors on ‘88 McLaren? Much appreciated!

[negusm]

Any great wisdom on how to access and replace Seat belt retractors on ‘88 McLaren? Much appreciated!

If it's like the coupes, you need to take out the seats and most of the interior panels to get to them. Not a fun job.

-Mike

[Randall C]

Thanks Mike - made progress today after taking much of the rear compartments out - found an access hole in the metal to get to the torx 45 bolt - with some help, was able to replace with new retractor - quite a pain but was successful -

Cheers!

[Bruce84]

Hello everyone, I have a 1988 Mustang ASC and I need to replace the belt reels because they no longer work. By dismantling the chairs and upholstery, I find myself gassed at a welded metal plate that prevents me from accessing the winder...?? Do you have any tips or tricks for dismantling??

[birdiestobehad]

Are you aware of the ASCMcLaren web site?

https://www.ascmclaren.com/

Great resource for parts, info and manuals.

https://www.ascmclaren.com/servicemanual (Page 17 has the seatbelt assembly)

Perhaps when Randall C next checks in to this site, he may be able to give some help as it sounds like he just went through this issue recently.

Good luck!

[Randall C]

Hey Bruce84,

Had luck with selt belt retractor swap out - not sure if the proper way but it worked

1. Take out storage compartment in rear area - couple screws on either side and under lids

2. You will see a hole at bottom of space to access the torx 45 bolt holding retractor in place (also a wire cluster coming out of this hole) - will need an extension for socket drive (suggest 1/2 inch drive for better leverage) - remove one bolt holding retractor in place

3. Access retractor unit by pealing back some of the black carpet in the convertible top storage area near where seat belt comes out - mine was glued in - you can feel where the opening is

4. With patience and a bit of contortion with my arm, grab the retractor unit and remove. You can get to the bottom of this space with your hand if the torx bolt falls when removing or re- installing

5. Remove torx 45 bolt at other end of the belt between door and seat bottom - pry off cover to male seat latch - remove belt from male seat latch - should be able to fully remove belt and retractor

6. Reverse process to install new retractor and fish belt up through opening

7. Bolt down both ends of belt (retractor and other end)

Depending on brand, may need to remove and install female latch mechanism between seat and center console. I had a helper with the retractor removal - one handling the retractor behind the metal and the other working the torx bolt through the hole.

Pretty rough design from ASC…

Best of luck and reply of more info needed

Randall C (‘88 #1480)

[Bruce84]

Thank you very much to both of you for your quick responses!! The friend who is in charge of the car currently will see what he can do with this information. I hope he succeeds because it’s not very cool to drive in a car with seat belts that don’t work...

[svo413]

The seat belt/retractor should be stock Ford mustang parts. The retractor plastic housing is color coded for the type. It seems Sandy looked into this and determined 88 used stock convertible seat belts. It should be molded into the plastic housing. I know my 85 does not retract fully when not used but when seated and in use, it seems fine. I do not recall any issues with my 88.

Even the regular mustang convertible seat belts are not easy to get to.