Rear middle Seat belt Removal. VAUXHALL Astra Mk IV (G) Saloon (T98)
PEUGEOT 206 CC (2D) 1.6
@user_151827
15.03.2021 16:46
Member
Hi Guy’s
I’m trying to replace the Rear middle seat belt in an astra the Lower trox bolt has been removed ok but the other part in in the seat it’s self if you pop the back cover off there’s a metal plate, which I assume need’s removed to get access and I take it the rest of the seatbelt mechanism is there would I be correct and how would this be done.
15.03.21
24.11.25
- @KevHil21.11.2025 16:15MemberYeah mate you're spot on with that, the metal plate needs to come off to access the retractor mechanism. I did this on my mk4 last year - it's a bit fiddly but doable. You'll need to undo the bolts holding that metal plate in place, usually a 10mm socket works. Once that's off you should see the whole mechanism behind it.
- @simon_lewis_521.11.2025 16:56Member@user_10295 Just make sure you disconnect the battery first before messing about with anything in the rear seats, especially if your model has side airbags or pretensioners on the belt. Learned that the hard way when the airbag light came on in my old Astra!
- @martin 🦾22.11.2025 08:21MemberI had to do mine couple months back. That metal plate is basically the mounting bracket for the retractor. Take a photo before you start removing stuff so you remember how it all goes back together - saved my bacon when I was putting it back.
- @Martin Murphy24.11.2025 11:39Member@KevHil One thing to watch out for - don't let the belt fully retract back into the mechanism while you're working on it. Use a clip or peg to hold it in position otherwise you'll be fishing it out for ages. My mate did that and it took him an extra hour to sort it out, proper annoying.
- @michael_brown724.11.2025 12:14Memberwhen you're putting the bolts back in, hand tighten first then use the ratchet. I stripped one of the threads rushing it and had to get a mate to help fix it, not fun.
- @GaRy_A24.11.2025 13:11Member@user_10295 The whole job shouldn't take more than 45 mins if everythings straightforward. I spent about an hour on mine but I was being cautious. Just make sure you've got decent light in there cos it can be a bit dark working behind the seat.
- @ian.edwards24.11.2025 13:26MemberHad a similar issue with the centre belt on my Astra. That metal plate is defintely what you need to remove - its held with 2 or 3 bolts depending on the year. Once you get that off the mechanism should just pull out.
- @tom_smith24.11.2025 13:42Member@Martin Murphy Good shout on the photo thing. I always video myself taking stuff apart on my phone now, makes reassembly so much easier especialy with all the trim clips and stuff.
- @harry.wilson.7724.11.2025 14:04Member@user_10295 Don't forget to check if there's any orange tabs or connectors when you're pulling the mechanism out. Some models have them and they need to be released properly or you'll damage the wiring. My cousin snapped one and had to source a new connector which was a pain.
- @liam.o.conn24.11.2025 14:52MemberI replaced mine about 6 months ago, whole thing went smooth once I figured out that metal plate situation. The retractor mechanism is all one piece so once you've got access it just unbolts and the new one goes in the same way. Make sure you get the belt fed through the trim properly when reassembling though.
- @KevHil24.11.2025 15:08Member@liam.o.conn Yeah feeding the belt back through can be tricky - I used a bit of wire to guide it through the trim holes which helped loads.
- @GaRy_A24.11.2025 15:22Member@michael_brown7 Haha I nearly did the same with the threads mate, got lucky and stopped myself just in time. Those bolts can be quite tight from the factory so easy to overdo it going back in.
