Help needed removing interior quarter

[denson]

I am about to change-out the retractable seatbelts and was wondering if anyone knows how to remove the panel that is vinyl covered and which covers the retractor.

Thanks,

John

[Haasman]

John- please provide the year and model.

[edmayo]

remove the upper bolster, then find the ONE screw that that ties the panel down to the wheel arch then remove the panel towards the rear to slide it out of the B pillar.

[denson]

The car is a 1973. Ed,, above the panel is what I call a garnish rail and it extends below the quarter window. Is that what you are referencing?

John

[edmayo]

Yep, that's what I meant, garnish rail is a more proper term!

[Haasman]

On mine, the upper "rail" doesn't need to come out. Instead, below the bulge that the seatbelt goes into, that holds the seatbelt reel, is a screw. Remove that screw and then remove the two little screws that hold the little "trim piece" around the opening where the seatbelt goes into it.

This is necessary because these two little screws hold the top of the bulge to the seatbelt retractor mechanism inside. Then wiggle the cover panel out from the verticle piece that holds it in. Be careful of those little screws as they fall in easily AND be sure and take careful notice of where they line up with regards to the little "trim piece" and the bracket below. It can be frustrating to find the screw holds again.

[denson]

Thanks everyone. I am going to work on this over the weekend and will let everyone know how I make out. I took the garnish rail off two days ago and did not see any screws, but I may not have looked close enough.

[edmayo]

There is really only one screw holding the panel to the car and it is where the panel meets the wheel house, there is a slight kick out along the bottom, that's where the screw is. The rest is just held in by the B pillar. Then as Haasman mentions you'll need to either remove the end of the belt from the seat and also the closure where the belt passes through the panel, or lift up the panel enough to unbolt the retractor from the inner fender.