Fiat 500 - 2008 - Front seat tilt mechanism

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Fri 1 May 2015 15:03
Fiat 500 - 2008 - Front seat tilt mechanism - richard price

Hi - Help please, daughters Fiat 500 drivers seat tilt mechanism has failed the plastic handle one pulls by the headrest has not broken and functions it is the wire with the round ball at the end has become detached for some reason and there is no obvious way to resolve, contacted Haynes to ask if their manual covers this, Quote, "The Fiat 500 & Panda Manual 5558 covers removal of the driver’s seat but does not include any information on dismantling the seat for access to the tilt mechanism. Sorry but we do not currently have any information on this subject" Unquote. Any ideas please. Thank you.

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Fri 1 May 2015 20:08
Fiat 500 - 2008 - Front seat tilt mechanism - elekie&a/c doctor

Take a look at the other side to see how it operates.

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Sun 3 May 2015 10:53
Fiat 500 - 2008 - Front seat tilt mechanism - richard price

done that

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Fri 10 Jan 2020 13:45
Fiat 500 - 2008 - Front seat tilt mechanism - Craig Millar

I know this is an old topic but I came across it when trying to fix the exact same problem with my 500 so will use it to help others.

1. You need to remove the whole top handle assembly first. This is done by removing the single screw under the handle and then putting a flat bladed screw driver inside the assembly and prising a small plastic clip to allow the whole assembly to come away from the seat. This was the hardest part to see and I found out about it by watching a youtube video about a guy fixing a broken seat handle on a Ford KA. Watch it to help you see where the clips are.

2. Once the assembly is out, I used a pair of fine nosed pliers to grab the two wires and lift the metal ball back into the slot in the handle.

3. Re-assemble by pushing the wires and assembly back into the seat. Tighten screw.

4. Test the seat handle. My top tip is to pull the handle first before pulling the seat back forward. The design of the handle makes you want to do both at the same time but I'm sure this jams the mechanism and is what puts the strain on the cable and ultimately pops out the metal ball or worse snaps the cable.

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Thu 21 May 2020 18:12
Fiat 500 - 2008 - Front seat tilt mechanism - Josh Vidler
Hi, today I had mine go! I can’t get the assembly off? Also
Can’t see the clip your referring too? Any help
Would be appreciated!

Thank you
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Thu 21 May 2020 20:33
Fiat 500 - 2008 - Front seat tilt mechanism - HopLane

I think this must be the Ford Ka video referred to: -

youtu.be/rwU117fG8QE

Does it help?

HL

Edited by HopLane on 21/05/2020 at 20:34

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