Can anyone tell me the best way to remove the retractor unit itself from the casing. This is an OEM from a 1967 Camaro. Mouth of casing seems to be bent a bit on one side causing retractor unit to move in and out slightly and not allowing retractor to work properly. Once the retractor is removed, is there a way to reshape the mouth of the casing? And finally, what is best way to put retractor unit back into casing without tearing or misforming the casing??
Or, is this just non-fixable??
Thanks,
Don

Good question. I'd like to know for mine also. It went together, it must come apart, right?

Yea. I'm thinking some sort of way to soften or make cover more flexible so retractor unit pulls out easily. Maybe heating with hair dryer or something??? Hopefully someone has already "been there-done that" and can answer this one from experience. I would really like to be able to save this retractor as it is part of a nice matching set.
Don

Done it many times.

1 get some rubber gloves
2 boil some water in a pan big enough to submerge retractor (not your wife's spaghetti pan, the retractors leave a stink that does not wash out!)
3 turn off heat
4 Place retractor in pan 30-40sec. more if needed
5 take retractor out (note orientation of chrome on outside of retractor hole)
6 while burning hand, pull retractor out
7 clean inside of retractor and webbing, check retractor function

To re-install retractor into cover:

8 insert small rope in anchor hole and attach to anchor (thread rope through cover)
9 resubmerge retractor cover for another 30 sec
10 take rectractor out and hold cover while pulling on rope (make sure you have it the right orientation) while burning hand again. Laying on a flat surface helps
11 while plastic is still soft hold the rectangular opening open while plastic cools
12 once cool, retractor cover will retain the shape you held it in
13 lather up burnt hand with lotion
14 pull open retractor and hold with rock, rope, etc so webbing can dry

have fun!

Kevin,

Thanks so much for these detailed instructions (including the "burning hands" steps)!! I will give this a try.
Thanks again, Don

Don, let us know how you made out :)