seat belt bracket

My wife and I are ( or were) proud owners of an 03 Z-06 and an 08 Vette Coupe.

 15 days ago, my drivers side lower female seat belt bracket broke.  My Chevrolet dealer since that time has said the item is on back order with 4 other people across the US ahead of me.

First of all, there is the safety issue of not having a seat belt  should the air bag go off, plus it is Florida law that seat belts must be worn .  This could result in a moving violation with a $100.00+ fine plus points against my license.  I am therefore unable to drive this car.

  I have e-mailed Chevrolet and also GM.  I never received a response from GM and the only response I received from Chevrolet was for me to contact my local dealership.  I have personally spoken to the parts manager who has explained to me that there is nothing he can do.  I have an 03 Z06 with 31000 miles that is in perfect running condition that I cannot drive!!!

  After calling many of your advertisers, find that this is only a dealer part option.  I have been advised that I cannot purchase  one from a junk yard because of safety issues.  

  We love our Corvettes, but after this  problem, would be hard pressed to buy another one.

  Do you have any idea what I should ***      Thank you.

Sincerely,


Jack Norman
E-mail:  ubuf95a@aol.com
Tel: 941-497-2290  

first off all .. i don't see where is would be bad to buy a used one from a wrecked corvette...  as long as it worked...

at least until you get a NEW replacement...

you might want to fill out this form

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallsearch.cfm

and mail them pictures of the bracket..  they might want to see the entire bracket..  for testing.. so don't turn loose of it to a dealer...   lives depend on this..

since many car parts for the production line are made by specialist companies..  the part you have.. and your description is rough..  was probably made by somebody other than GM...   all seat belts have a tag sewn on.. gives mfg data and date of manufacture... that will also be required..     hopefully the company that produced that model seat belt has not gone under or been bought out and sold off... loosing the tooling to make more..

as for gm parts.. they only sell through their franchised dealerships...  thats the deal they made to have people with franchises...  everything goes to the public through them..



i take it that item 2 on this picture is what you are talking about..

the parts list called it a   " Buckle end Left "

http://www.trademotion.com/schematics/C/CF97245.gif

looks like they were used from 97 to 04 cars..

just curious.. will it plug into the right side .. if it will reach...


there is the seat belt extender

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=55418&dept_id=215

so you might reach it across...      

in the worst case...    one might buy the extender... have a shop that can sew seat belts.. a few can..  sew the new extender end to new webbing on your existing base...  its not impossible.. i just don't know if there is any electrical switches inside the existing receiver..


oh yea...

you don't want to tell anybody what you are planning to do with the seat belt extender...  and pay cash for the service..  don't ask for a receipt... just walk in and have it done...  after you call around and see if they can sew seat belts...  some upholstery shops can sew seat belt webbing..


and yes... i know i am going to get flamed for this...     but the man want to drive his corvette until the new part arrives...    and i have fire extinguishers sitting next to my desk..  

Hey thanks for the information.  I thought of the extender just to hook into the passenger seat buckle....but I think I said it wrong..It's the part that the bracket goes into.  There is some plastic thing or something inside that apparently broke off and the bracket doesn't lock in, just slides in and out.  They say the junk yards won't sell them because of fear of a lawsuit if someone gets in an accident and says the seat belt didn't work or some such foolishness!!!
 you are right...It's frustrating to sit at home with a beautiful red ( with white stripe)  Z-06 with 31000 miles on it just sitting in the garage not being driven!!!!  

i understood you...

does the extender look like it would plug in...

order the extender..

slide the seat forward... take out the bolt that holds that part to the floor..

have some seat shop sew the new end in place of the old end...  pay cash... no receipt..

until you get your new complete part..



or...  swap the parts from the passenger side to the drivers side...   some way to get behind the wheel...


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