Technical fiat 500 S seat base broken

[Jodsclass]

Hi Everyone.

Yet another weird issue on my 2017 fiat 500 sport. Last week, the driver's seat started to crunch and click every time I pushed the clutch or moved in my seat. This steadily got worse until I couldn't stand it & had a look under the seat. One of the brackets still had its bolt in, but was sitting away from the seat base underneath. I’ve circled the bolt below.

Upon closer inspection, the captive nut which is welded into the seat base, had broken free, and it was this clicking in and out of the seat base that was causing the issue. I’ve removed the bolt & the captive nut fell to the floor. So for now, I've added a bit of fabric around the bracket to stop it clicking, and the seat itself still feels pretty solid with one bracket missing.

I’ve been looking around for a replacement seat or seat base, and they seem impossible for my trim level. I had found replacement seat bases, like the one below, which I've circled the point of failure on my own, but the trim is different.

And this is my trim/fabric style

I've got a few questions, really.

1. To remove the seat base, do I only need to remove the matching bolt & lift out the base, or is the process more complicated than that?
2. If I do remove it, how simple is it to remove the seat cover upholstery & the foam, and is it straightforward to get it back on.
3. If no to the above, does anyone have one of these seat bases available?

If I can remove it, there is a chance I can either spot weld the bolt back in, or at least add some washers and get it bolted back in without replacing my own seat base.

Your help would be much appreciated. I've been on the hunt for a replacement seat base in this fabric, but nothing has shown up.

 

[John202020]

Remember to disconnect the battery first?

 

[Jodsclass]

Remember to disconnect the battery first?

I would disconnect the battery and leave for a while to fully discharge. As far as I know, the airbag itself is contained within the backrest at the side where the airbag tag is, not in the base itself. My hope is that the seat base can be unbolted & removed without removing the seat itself, as the pictures at breakers all seem to suggest two captive nuts & the two rear plastic clips are all that keep it in place. I could be wrong. Anyone with experience removing the seat cushion base?