Solution for seatbelt neck rubbing or blood circulation problems (w/pics) - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Showguns · 09-11-2010, 01:50 PM

I have always had a problem with seat belts that rest to close to my neck. It hinders blood flow and causes headaches. I tried aftermarket solutions such as the S-Clip, but it was awkward and placed the S-clip on my stomach - which was very uncomfortable. Later I modified the clip to be a part of the Camaro's leather shoulder strap, but it broke so many times and wouldn't slide the belt very easily. I went to dealership and got one of those free 9" seat belt extenders, but it too put the new buckle right onto my stomach (I'm 5'10" 175lbs) and not only was it awkward to use, but didn't feel safe due to the shoulder strap not going across my chest correctly.

Finally, I created a better solution:
* No neck pain or headaches
* Belt slides easily
* Belt goes across chest perfectly
* No clumsy added pieces
* Belt is easily removable for rear seat access or other drivers that don't need it

Tools and materials needed:
* Nylon strap, 7" long and at least 1" wide (borrowed some from an old back pack I had)
* Sharp scissors
* A lighter

Make button holes near the ends of the strap using scissors. Make the button holes just large enough to fit over the snaps on the leather shoulder strap. Use the lighter to singe any the places where you cut (both ends plus the button holes) to avoid future tearing.
Carefully work the new strap over the snaps.

This solution provides that little extra you need to keep the belt away from your neck and it looks inconspicuous.

MyIBMssRS · 09-11-2010, 01:55 PM

Wow great idea! I hate the way the belt lays across my neck/shoulder. (I'm the same height as you)
Thanks for posting this!

formare · 09-11-2010, 02:24 PM

Dude, you are a genius. Took me like 5 minutes and it works perfectly...

winston2ss · 09-11-2010, 02:47 PM

Good idea. Thanks.

Ivas · 09-11-2010, 02:57 PM

I find that the snaps on the leather strap won't stay snapped, and it's hella difficult to reach back to it once your seated.

MEDISIN · 09-11-2010, 03:04 PM

Hmmm, maybe it's a height thing. I'm 6'1" and the drivers side belt falls right over my shoulder. Maybe I should sit in the passenger seat (lower by default) and see if it's closer to my neck. My GF is 5'6" and hasn't complained about it.

On second thought your seat may be more reclined than mine which would shift the belt closer to the neck.

Caspers2SSRS · 09-11-2010, 03:04 PM

Great Idea, Thanks for sharing. P.S....... I see your Gen5's equiped with the same beautiful two tone beige interior........I'm currently loving.

E.T. · 09-11-2010, 03:46 PM

Showguns,

Great! I cut a nylon strap off an old bag I had lying around and it worked out really nice

Very good fix for a GM engineering blunder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivas

I find that the snaps on the leather strap won't stay snapped, and it's hella difficult to reach back to it once your seated.

Maybe try cutting the holes just a little bigger? I think the entire circular snap is magnetic (not just the tiny center part) so make sure you get the whole circle exposed.

axis · 09-11-2010, 04:03 PM

I'm 6ft so its position doesn't bother me, BUT, it's annoying when I take my belt off and the male end goes up in the strap.

josh52382 · 09-11-2010, 04:06 PM

good job. But I must be doing something wrong since I'm 5'8" and do not have this problem. However my wife does and she is 5'11" so thank you for helping us all find a fix to the problem.

cuspid · 09-11-2010, 04:26 PM

try this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-se...Q5fAccessories

NinoSS · 09-11-2010, 05:06 PM

I want to do this but don't know where to get the male and female magnetic buttons for the new strap?

route66dan · 09-11-2010, 05:41 PM

Genius, pure genius! Thanks, man.

formare · 09-11-2010, 06:06 PM

[QUOTE=NinoSS;2320221]I want to do this but don't know where to get the male and female magnetic buttons for the new strap?

[/QUOT

You simply need to cut the holes in the new strap large enough so that the buttons on the original strap "pass through" completely and make contact.

09-11-2010, 01:50 PM	#1
Showguns Drives: 2016 2SS w/chrome blue stripes Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 224 View My Garage	Solution for seatbelt neck rubbing or blood circulation problems (w/pics) I have always had a problem with seat belts that rest to close to my neck. It hinders blood flow and causes headaches. I tried aftermarket solutions such as the S-Clip, but it was awkward and placed the S-clip on my stomach - which was very uncomfortable. Later I modified the clip to be a part of the Camaro's leather shoulder strap, but it broke so many times and wouldn't slide the belt very easily. I went to dealership and got one of those free 9" seat belt extenders, but it too put the new buckle right onto my stomach (I'm 5'10" 175lbs) and not only was it awkward to use, but didn't feel safe due to the shoulder strap not going across my chest correctly. Finally, I created a better solution: * No neck pain or headaches * Belt slides easily * Belt goes across chest perfectly * No clumsy added pieces * Belt is easily removable for rear seat access or other drivers that don't need it Tools and materials needed: * Nylon strap, 7" long and at least 1" wide (borrowed some from an old back pack I had) * Sharp scissors * A lighter Make button holes near the ends of the strap using scissors. Make the button holes just large enough to fit over the snaps on the leather shoulder strap. Use the lighter to singe any the places where you cut (both ends plus the button holes) to avoid future tearing. Carefully work the new strap over the snaps. This solution provides that little extra you need to keep the belt away from your neck and it looks inconspicuous. Attached Images Last edited by Showguns; 01-19-2014 at 01:58 PM. Reason: Reposting pics that were lost. Strap still works 4 years later!

09-11-2010, 02:24 PM	#3
formare The Milano Drives: 2017 Firefly ShipWorks Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chicagoland (Crown Point, IN) Posts: 1,877 View My Garage	Dude, you are a genius. Took me like 5 minutes and it works perfectly... __________________ My first Love. She was called "Miss Carriage" (still cry when I think about her) 383, Muncie 4 speed, custom linkage mated to hurst short throw shifter.

09-11-2010, 02:47 PM	#4
winston2ss YDLYLB Drives: Cgm 2ssrs Join Date: May 2010 Location: bossier city la. Posts: 1,163 View My Garage	Good idea. Thanks. __________________

09-11-2010, 04:03 PM	#9
axis Search Ninja Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Ark Posts: 7,183	I'm 6ft so its position doesn't bother me, BUT, it's annoying when I take my belt off and the male end goes up in the strap. __________________ 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Halltech CF 102 fed GPI modded intake manifold Bo (knows) White ported TB Kooks LT's/ Dynomax VT Pfadted (springs/sways) Dyno tuned by Rhino and GPI I once parallel parked a train.

09-11-2010, 05:06 PM	#12
NinoSS Drives: 2SS/RS CGM LS3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 1,623	I want to do this but don't know where to get the male and female magnetic buttons for the new strap? __________________ Current - 2018 NGM 1LE (LT4 conversion coming soon) SOLD 2010 LS3 / Vengeance stage I cam / CAI intake w/ADM race scoop / Dynatech LT's / Eaton Posi LPE-JRE 3.91's / L99 Corsa / ZL1 wheels / NT05 275/315

09-11-2010, 01:55 PM	#2
MyIBMssRS Drives: 10 IBM SS RS/14 1500 Z71 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 1,577	Wow great idea! I hate the way the belt lays across my neck/shoulder. (I'm the same height as you) Thanks for posting this!

09-11-2010, 02:57 PM	#5
Ivas el Ruco Drives: 2010 Camaro SS (now runnin' TENS ) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Fontana, CA Posts: 7,388	I find that the snaps on the leather strap won't stay snapped, and it's hella difficult to reach back to it once your seated.

09-11-2010, 03:04 PM	#6
MEDISIN Drives: 2011 CTS-V Sedan Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chapel Hill, NC Posts: 1,505 View My Garage	Hmmm, maybe it's a height thing. I'm 6'1" and the drivers side belt falls right over my shoulder. Maybe I should sit in the passenger seat (lower by default) and see if it's closer to my neck. My GF is 5'6" and hasn't complained about it. On second thought your seat may be more reclined than mine which would shift the belt closer to the neck.

09-11-2010, 03:04 PM	#7
Caspers2SSRS Caspers2SSRS Drives: Summit White 2010 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere north of a midlife crisis. Posts: 2,865	Great Idea, Thanks for sharing. P.S....... I see your Gen5's equiped with the same beautiful two tone beige interior........I'm currently loving.

09-11-2010, 04:06 PM	#10
josh52382 Drives: Black 2ss 6m with cyber grey strips Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sanford, NC Posts: 76 View My Garage	good job. But I must be doing something wrong since I'm 5'8" and do not have this problem. However my wife does and she is 5'11" so thank you for helping us all find a fix to the problem.

09-11-2010, 04:26 PM	#11
cuspid Drives: 04 z06 yellow Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Clearwater,Fl Posts: 291	try this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-se...Q5fAccessories

09-11-2010, 05:41 PM	#13
route66dan Drives: 2002 Corvette Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 55	Genius, pure genius! Thanks, man.

09-11-2010, 06:06 PM	#14
formare The Milano Drives: 2017 Firefly ShipWorks Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chicagoland (Crown Point, IN) Posts: 1,877 View My Garage	[QUOTE=NinoSS;2320221]I want to do this but don't know where to get the male and female magnetic buttons for the new strap? [/QUOT You simply need to cut the holes in the new strap large enough so that the buttons on the original strap "pass through" completely and make contact. __________________ My first Love. She was called "Miss Carriage" (still cry when I think about her) 383, Muncie 4 speed, custom linkage mated to hurst short throw shifter.