Fix Your Own Seat Belt Stop Buttons
Seat belt stop buttons prevent the free-sliding latch plate tongue of lap/shoulder belts on GM cars from falling all the way to the bottom when belt is not in use. The two-piece plastic buttons are installed by simply pushing the button pin through the seat belt webbing, then snapping the back piece on.
Unfortunately, the plastic buttons break off easily. Although they’re easy to replace, replacements are usually difficult to find, and are usually unreasonably priced; around $7.50 when found in auto parts stores, and twice that much when ordered from dealers.
After spending upwards of $50 repeatedly replacing broken buttons, then finding them out of stock in all of the local auto parts stores, I decided to stop wasting my time and money, and to get more innovative and resourceful.
You can come up with a better stop button by going to The Home Depot’s “Hardware” isle and finding these items:
• #8 Hinged Screw Cover
(UPC 0 30599 89828 2)
• #6-32 x ¼” Screw
• #6-32 Hex Nut
The hinged screw covers are usually available only in white, black or tan, so pick the best match for your belt. Any kind of screw and nut will do. The picture shows stainless steel hardware, with Phillips head screws.
It’s usually easy to find the location of the missing buttons, since they usually leave an indentation in the belt webbing. Look for it about 16-inches from the bottom of the belt, or approximately mid-way up the seat back.
Use an awl, ice-pick or sharpened pencil to poke through the hole created by the original plastic button to open it up a little. That will make it easier to find, and to push the 6-32 screw through.
Insert a screw through one of the hinged covers and push it though the hole in the belt. Use a second hinged cover on the back side of the belt; to cover the hex nut. Hold the nut while tightening the screw, then snap the caps closed.
All done. That will probably be the last time you’ll need to fix your seat belts, and the you’ll have spent less than a buck.
Unfortunately, the plastic buttons break off easily. Although they’re easy to replace, replacements are usually difficult to find, and are usually unreasonably priced; around $7.50 when found in auto parts stores, and twice that much when ordered from dealers.
After spending upwards of $50 repeatedly replacing broken buttons, then finding them out of stock in all of the local auto parts stores, I decided to stop wasting my time and money, and to get more innovative and resourceful.
You can come up with a better stop button by going to The Home Depot’s “Hardware” isle and finding these items:
• #8 Hinged Screw Cover
(UPC 0 30599 89828 2)
• #6-32 x ¼” Screw
• #6-32 Hex Nut
The hinged screw covers are usually available only in white, black or tan, so pick the best match for your belt. Any kind of screw and nut will do. The picture shows stainless steel hardware, with Phillips head screws.
It’s usually easy to find the location of the missing buttons, since they usually leave an indentation in the belt webbing. Look for it about 16-inches from the bottom of the belt, or approximately mid-way up the seat back.
Use an awl, ice-pick or sharpened pencil to poke through the hole created by the original plastic button to open it up a little. That will make it easier to find, and to push the 6-32 screw through.
Insert a screw through one of the hinged covers and push it though the hole in the belt. Use a second hinged cover on the back side of the belt; to cover the hex nut. Hold the nut while tightening the screw, then snap the caps closed.
All done. That will probably be the last time you’ll need to fix your seat belts, and the you’ll have spent less than a buck.
Labels: Gallimaufry
posted by BoysMind at
9:25 AM
9 Comments:
Thanks for the tip. It worked great for me. I did have a hard time finding a 1/4" length screw so I got a 3/8" and filed it down to fit. Good tip thanks again!
Great tip. Thank you. I'm all for the ole home remedy. The slipping belt clip was driving me bonkers. G-Man
Thank you so much. For a second I thought I was the only one on earth who had this problem.
WOW!! This is exactly what I was looking for. I didn't find it right to need to pay upwards of $12 for a piece of plastic that would probably just end up breaking again. With the screw it makes it so much stronger and after installed it looks professional. Thank you Gallimaufry for your fix.
P.S. - I had to use metric screws and hex nuts as I could not locate any screw shorter than 3/8" as well. I used 1 M4-.70 x 6mm screw and 1 M4-.70 hex nut per seat belt.
This awesome. Thank you. Stuff like this is the best thing about the Internet.
Thanks! This is just what I need!
YOU ARE THE MAN !!! Been driving me crazy and ford wanted 35.50 for a kit
Worked like a charm. THANKS!
Great simple solution many thanks for the idea
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