Duke94

The dog chewed up both rear seatbelts Is there any trick I need to know to replace them?

ChevyMgr

Are you replacing the buckles or the retractors or both? Also which ones (left/right/center)?

Duke94

I am replacing the retractor with its attached belt. I assume the buckle is the part in the seat with the release button (dog didn't find those). I need to replace the left and right. It looks like a large part of the molded plastic trim will need to come off to get to the retractor mount. Does the seat (rear) need to come out also? Thanks for any help you can give.

ChevyMgr

The parts with the buttons (female) are the buckles and the others are the retractors.

You have to remove the lower rear quarter trim panel. Which entails removing the upper trim panel (around the glass), removing the panel covering the spare and removing the rear liftgate opening trim plate.

So if your good at removing trim panels without cracking or damaging the retainer holes you may be able to do this. You will need a Torx bit for the retractor bolts. Lean the seats forward to access the bolts, removal is not necessary.

Here is what it looks like after all the panels are removed.

Duke94

Excellant ChevyMgr, thankyou. Looks like an all day job but not difficult. As you said, the hardest part is getting the panels off w/o breaking he clips.

masterchief1112

simple enough to do that. just make sure the panels rnt too cold. ask me how i know

esmarkey

Ya, it's like a T50 or T55 Torx bit, this is somewhat rare in most of the "torx kits".

Duke94

Good advice. I might have to wait a while as it is in the teens in Michigan. I do have access to a heated garage but that may not get it warm enough.

dbfruth

A trim removal tool like the ones below make removing trim without damaging it much easier.

1bluhhr

here is my thought as i have removed alot of rear belts from wrecks use a snap-on torx and a 1/2 inch impact as they are so tuff to get the mounting bolt out we have broke alot of other bits and have found that doing it with a breaker bar wont work good luck!!