Auto body repair & detailing: Seat Bells, cadillac seville, mercury sable

Question
I have an 89 Cadillac Seville and a 1994 Mercury Sable.  On both cars the seat bell retracts very slowly and poorly.  What can I do to fix the problem?


Answer
About the only service I will recommend trying, is take the plastic cover off of the lower retractors, if they will come off, and see if a coin has fallen into the assembly.  DO NOT disassemble the retractor assemblies. Replace the seat belts IMMEDIATELY, Don't fool around trying to fix your car's safety systems. At the first sign of trouble, they need replaced. The Caddy has special bolts that require a seat belt T-50 torx, and sometimes a little heat to break loose the bolt. A salvage yard should have suitable replacement belts. If your Sable has the type that has that goofy retractor on the A pillar that automatically runs back when you shut the door, take it to a Mercury dealer for service. Bill