Removing 65-66 Seatbelt Boots

[Ken K.]

Is there away to remove the rubber/plastic "Boots" from the seatbelts? One, to clean the belts, and two to replace the boots if they are broken or cracked. The large metal ends don't look like they will fit through the boots. Is there a trick that I should know? Thanks for your input. Ken

[Doug C.]

Re: Removing 65-66 Seatbelt Boots

I've soaked them in near boiling hot water and have been able to pull the metal end through without damage

[Doug C.]

Re: Removing 65-66 Seatbelt Boots

I've soaked them in near boiling hot water and have been able to pull the metal end through without damage

[Eugene B.]

Re: Removing 65-66 Seatbelt Boots

Ken,
When I replaced the boots on my '65 last year (both were not worth saving), I carefully cut them off of the seat belt, cleaned all belts and buckles, and reassembled with new boots.

The boots that I got were from Sunwest Auto Specialties and were dead-ringers for the originals.

Reassembling the boots to the belts was no problem. First, I placed the new boots in the sun to soften them a bit. A heat gun would work fine, also. To pull the belt through the boots, I cut and formed a coat hanger to function as a pull.

Feed the coat hanger through the new boot and pull the buckle through. When it gets most of the way through, you can secure the buckle in a vise and finish the job.

As I said, no problem. Just get the new boots warm before you start. I suggest doing one at a time so that you know how the retractor was installed.

Regards,
Gene

[Eugene B.]

Re: Removing 65-66 Seatbelt Boots

Ken,
When I replaced the boots on my '65 last year (both were not worth saving), I carefully cut them off of the seat belt, cleaned all belts and buckles, and reassembled with new boots.

The boots that I got were from Sunwest Auto Specialties and were dead-ringers for the originals.

Reassembling the boots to the belts was no problem. First, I placed the new boots in the sun to soften them a bit. A heat gun would work fine, also. To pull the belt through the boots, I cut and formed a coat hanger to function as a pull.

Feed the coat hanger through the new boot and pull the buckle through. When it gets most of the way through, you can secure the buckle in a vise and finish the job.

As I said, no problem. Just get the new boots warm before you start. I suggest doing one at a time so that you know how the retractor was installed.

Regards,
Gene