When I had my Multiwagon serviced recently, it was found that the drivers seat belt was 'cut' and frayed. Before I take out a bank loan to let the Fiat garage replace it, I wondered if any of you had experience of replacing such a thing. I know it is a bit dodgy replacing with a 'used' belt, but I am not a multi millionaire. Any advice on how to remove the trim etc. would be appreciated.

its not hard just time consuming, you basically have to take the back interior out to do it in a 3dr...not sure about the MW...as long as the replacement seatbelt hasn't "exploded" it'll be fine, (check for white marks on any part of the belt)....an independent garage could also do it...no reason to get raped by fiat...

All MWs are 5 door so the driver's seatbelt reel is mounted behind the"B" pillar trim panel.

The mechanism includes a pyrotechnic device to pre-tenssion the belt in the event of an accident. If you intend replacing it yourself, be sure to follow the safety precautions for dealing with airbag/pyrotechnic devices before touching it.

Thank's for that, but I was more interested in HOW to remove the trim panel.

You need to pull off the rubber door seal from the back of the front door aperture and front of the back door aperture. Then remove the 2 or 3 screws in the lower half of the trim panel. The panel is also held on with plastic clips behind it. Either a sharp tug or something like a wallpaper stripped tool behind the panel should get it off.

Brilliant. Just what I needed to know. Thank's again.

Old thread I know but Seat belt replacement likely in our 1.4 Stilo (5dr) as MOT is coming up. Davren -your warning has made me very hesitant about trying to do this job . Can you advise on safety precautions you mention . Is there a written procedure I can find? Thanks

Take the battery off for an hour before you try it mate, when a belt fires after an accident the belt webbing will run all the way out, there is no spring to pull it back in. In a crash the inertia stops you from moving forwards, then releases a split second later, you would know if a belt has fired usually.

I might need to replace the driver's seatbelt soon because it is starting to fray. Depends on the MOT tester I suppose.

They cost a fortune new, so if I buy one off a breaker/ebay, do I need to worry what model/year it comes from? I've got a 2004 1.4 five door model. Would any 2001-7 seatbelt from any five door engine variant fit?

Cheers.