lil_mikey69

My idiot friend broke the plastic piece on the side of the drivers seat that holds the seat belt in place, like the little square thingy the belt goes through. Now, I'm sure I can get the piece at a junk yard for only a couple dollars, but I don't know how I'll be able to get the belt threaded through the new plastic piece. Its a solid piece, so you can't like slide the belt through it. You have to thread it through somehow, so I'm guessing I have to disconnect the belt some how. I'd assume at the bottom, but does it need any special tools or anything. Is this a project I can take on myself, because it does seem to be in an akward place down there, and I'm not sure I can even get in there with a wrench or anything.

Any hints of tips will probably be helpful.

Blue89Bird

The piece youre describing has an opening in it once it is removed. When removed you can spread it apart enough to slide the belt through it, but if you do want to remove the seat belt its just a really bit torx bit.

lil_mikey69

No it doesn't have an opening. 100% positive it doesn't, even when removed.

I'll take a picture of it later, my sister has my camera.

2001NBMZ28

Mine are a solid piece - only the convertibles have the slot I believe. Just replace both with the convertible guides.

Blue89Bird

i dunno then, I've had 3 4th gens (93,95,96) and on all of them it was held on by 2 screws. When those screws were removed, it would spread apart and you could slide it around the belt.

At any rate, just get the right size torx bit then and unbolt the belt, its about a 45 second job.

Injuneer

The lower seat belt bolt is a T47 Torx.

lil_mikey69

Maybe I'll just look for that then, unless its really easy to get to that screw. I'll have to see how I can get past the plastic cover peice.

Any idea on how much that would be from a dealer if the junk yard turns up nothing?

MarcR94v6

I had the same problem when I bought my car, the kid that had it before me did a number on the interior and exterior. He had broken the passenger side seatbelt guide (what you were describing). What you do when you get a new seatbelt guide is:

1. Go to the bottom of the seatbelt by the floor. On one side should be a circular disc that looks a bit like the head of a screw.

2. Get a flathead screwdriver and find the small space under the disc where you can shove it in, and pry the disc out (carefully) without breaking any plastic pieces.

3. Where the disk was should be an exposed star-like shaped bolt. Get the appropriate socket extention (sorry i don't remember what the bolt or socket ext. was called, but mine was 3/4 i think) and get the bolt off.

4. The belt should now come out freely so you can stick it through the guide. Now follow the instructions backwards to re-install the belt.

lil_mikey69

Thanks. Thats pretty much how I figured it would have to be done, but I wasn't exactly sure.

Any idea on the cost of a new seatbelt guide?

MarcR94v6

I got mine on E-Bay in my gen (93-97). There were about 4 of them, so I'm sure if you do ebay you'll find plenty in your camaro's gen. The prices were about $4 - $10, depending on how many bids. Got mine for $11, when I outbid someone, but even that was a little steep to me for a seatbelt guide, but I had to get it because all the others were taken. But remember, if there's only one selling, make sure you get the right one (passnger or driver side), but they usually sell them both together. Good luck.

sabre81

why noy just cut a slit with a dremel or something ?

lil_mikey69

Ordered one from the dealer today. It was like $6.95 so I just got it there. I was surprised it wasn't more.

lil_mikey69

I guess you could. Seems kinda ghetto though.

It won't be hard to undo a screw to replace it though.