TheSamba.com :: View topic - Replacing Lobster Claw Covers on Seat Belts

Sat Nov 21, 2015 2:53 pm

I have a set of 1967 convertible seatbelts that are in great condition but missing the covers. I am wondering if anyone has removed covers from one set to install on another. I have no covers at the moment to examine to guide me and I don't want to buy a set of belts just for the covers if they can not be removed and re-installed successfully. Thanks

Sat Nov 21, 2015 5:01 pm

DeVertible wrote: I have a set of 1967 convertible seatbelts that are in great condition but missing the covers. I am wondering if anyone has removed covers from one set to install on another. I have no covers at the moment to examine to guide me and I don't want to buy a set of belts just for the covers if they can not be removed and re-installed successfully. Thanks

Can you post a pic of what you need? I just pulled the two front seat belts to replace them and they sound like I may have what you need.

Sat Nov 21, 2015 8:37 pm

Will post picture tomorrow. I need to know if black plastic covers of spring loaded claws can be removed and reinstalled without bresking.

Sun Nov 22, 2015 7:36 pm

Here is photo of one of the seat belts. Looking to find out if covers from another set could be removed and placed on my belts before I invest in another set of belts

Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:30 pm

I need those covers too! Subscribed...

Mon Nov 23, 2015 6:20 am

Don't think they are the same. Concept is similar, but mine are black and the covers don't seem removable.

They do seem to be original VW though. Part number is : KL-1-500/3.3/1968. I'm guessing they came off a 68 of some sort.

I have two of these. One, the belt portion is pretty much toast, the other is great. I have two much shorter lengths of belt that maybe were supposed to be used kids or something? Anybody wants them, LMK.

Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:51 am

Those are the correct covers and look to be in good shape. It seems to me there has to be a way to disassemble but who knows. Do you have photos of complete belt. I might be interested in the lot just to explore the idea if the price is right. The others you have might be the rears. I need the center receiver loop as well as well as a ring that mounts behind the rear seat center.

Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:54 am

DeVertible wrote: Those are the correct covers and look to be in good shape. It seems to me there has to be a way to disassemble but who knows. Do you have photos of complete belt. I might be interested in the lot just to explore the idea if the price is right. The others you have might be the rears. I need the center receiver loop as well as well as a ring that mounts behind the rear seat center. lets take it to PM. I'll get more pics in a bit.

Mon Nov 23, 2015 8:49 am

Tap the rivet thru, and the cover slides off the claw..
I've swapped good for bad covers several times.

The biggest issue is the ability to reuse the original rivet or not.. or just use a replacement rivet...(not a pop rivet a real rivet).

.

Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:04 am

I sorta had the same issue and decide upon something like this. Sure glad I did.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-Hummer-Retractable-Fr...mp;vxp=mtr

Mon Nov 23, 2015 9:23 pm

Thanks volkwagnut. I have a set coming with good covers and will soon be giving it a shot

Tue Nov 24, 2015 9:27 am

DeVertible wrote: Thanks volkwagnut. I have a set coming with good covers and will soon be giving it a shot

Easy peezy repair..
I've found.. its best to be prepared to use new rivets, but sometimes if you are patient, you can gently fold the old hollow peened rivet back straight with a pair of sharp side cutter like pliers (and a punch) , tap it back through and reuse it.. ..

Once you realize how easy the swap over is.. you will.... #-o ... (duh)

No... I dont know the exact size of the original rivet. .. :lol:
Most hardware stores have..... something that will work..

I've used rivets and/or solid bar peened (both sides) over to secure.. but Im not picky either.
Just be sure to make whatever you use as a smooth as possible.

Maybe you make this a tutorial for replacing the covers ... :wink:
Oh yeah.. dont forget.. ...with pictures.. cause we all know VW people just gotta have pictures.. :lol:

.

Sun May 30, 2021 8:50 am

Where can I find new lobster claw covers to replace what I have on my 67 ?

Sun May 30, 2021 9:04 pm

Nicer used ones from another set?

Mon May 31, 2021 9:11 am

DeVertible wrote:

Here is photo of one of the seat belts. Looking to find out if covers from another set could be removed and placed on my belts before I invest in another set of belts

That is a 67 convertible or Ghia "only" seat belt assy pictured above. (Klippan VW) The missing plastic claw covering likely might be different in mounting and function configuration than the later black "American Safety" (made for VW in USA) plastic claw covering shown below. Note additional chromed metal component, w/ engraved arrow and much thicker grip ribbing...

Original plastic cover on '67 vert belt from gallery:

....and fitment within the casing. The newer, bulkier "American Safety" covers might not work as well as an original Klippan cover 'scalped' from a 67 sedan or type3..

Tue Jun 01, 2021 10:07 am

DeVertible wrote:

Here is photo of one of the seat belts. Looking to find out if covers from another set could be removed and placed on my belts before I invest in another set of belts

As a note, I believe that seat belt has been installed on the wrong side. The "bump" should face inwards, so the seat belt mechanism can be better shifted out of the way.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong.

Tue Jun 01, 2021 2:15 pm

Ooops... :oops: I didn't realize this was an OLD post to begin with, and 2 of the photos apparantly didn't appear in my previous post - making nonsense out of what I was trying to say... :roll:

So, to better 'illustrate' what I was trying to say, here are the two missing photos of the plastic covers for comparison:

American Safety black lobster claw:

...and the Klippan as used in 1967's:

And, Harry - you are correct! The OP's photo with the missing cover is installed on the wrong side. The roll bulge should be facing inboard, not out. At this point, I'm curious to know whatever the outcome might've been 6 years ago for the attempt at putting the 'beefier' American Safety black covers on the Klippan mechanism..

Wed Jul 28, 2021 2:27 pm

I know this is a long shot, but I am looking for the same plastic cover being discussed in this thread. We have a 1967 Beetle that needs a new cover for the driver's side. The mechanism that clips still works.

If anyone has any idea where I could get one (or maybe get plans for a 3D printed version?) - please let me know:

[email protected]

67conv wrote: Ooops... :oops: I didn't realize this was an OLD post to begin with, and 2 of the photos apparantly didn't appear in my previous post - making nonsense out of what I was trying to say... :roll:

So, to better 'illustrate' what I was trying to say, here are the two missing photos of the plastic covers for comparison:

American Safety black lobster claw:

...and the Klippan as used in 1967's:

And, Harry - you are correct! The OP's photo with the missing cover is installed on the wrong side. The roll bulge should be facing inboard, not out. At this point, I'm curious to know whatever the outcome might've been 6 years ago for the attempt at putting the 'beefier' American Safety black covers on the Klippan mechanism..

Wed Jul 28, 2021 3:12 pm

They are not reproduced, and 3-D printers are not at the level they can accurately build it, with the pebble pattern (as I understand). Breaking at the ends is the most common, as that area is under the largest amount of stress.

As far as I know, the only solution is to buy a used set with good ends and use them as donors for yours (that's what I had to do). They come up, periodically, in the classifieds here, on ebay, and on 1967beetle.com.

Note, similar seat belt mechanisms were produced for ghias and (I think) type 3s. So, if you aren't a purist, and are ok with it being *close*, you could use those.

Then, again, if you weren't a purist, you would probably just replace them with something modern. ;)

Good luck!

Mon Jan 16, 2023 11:43 pm

I’ll add to what Harry said that Klippan belts were commonly used on a lot of European cars especially BMWs so you could always find some donors on eBay and use those as well.