Volvo 850 Dashboard Mount Repair

Post by **div4scpro** » 19 Jul 2010, 12:08

has anybody discovered an option if the original plastic part of the mount is too broken up to reconstruct with epoxy?

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 19 Jul 2010, 13:18

That would be tough, but possibly not insurmountable (pun intended

). I was able to sufficiently reconstruct my plastic brackets but as long as you can mount the sheet metal bracket in the same location of the original plastic bracket and in it's general shape then the "tough" part would be holding the square nut so that it can "float" behind the bracket until the bolt is screwed into it from the other side of the firewall.

Besides providing an anchor for the bolt, the plastic bracket serves to hold the nut loosely enough so that it can move around to match up with the bolt and also to prevent the nut from turning (as if you had a wrentch on it) while the bolt is being tightened into it. Maybe the nut could be loosely taped so that it could move a fraction of an inch in any direction. That way, the end of the bolt could "find" the hole in the square nut which is necessary basically because you can't see it with the dash in place. At that point, the nearby fold in your fabricated metal bracket can probably prevent the nut from turning. Hopefully you have at least one of your plastic brackets preserved well enough that you can study how it functions so that you can replicate the function with the fabricated bracket.

Hope this helps. It's been almost a year since I did this so I may be missing something in my recollection of how it works.

(Edit) On second thought, after thinking about it.....if two or more of your brackets are so far gone that they can't be reconstructed you might be better off to get a used dash from a pick n pull that has brackets that are in better shape (assuming that such a dash can be found and that you can afford the cost). I say this because if the tape idea (or other solution you might create) failed, you'd have to remove the dash againg and start over which can be done but would be quite tedious.

code-man850 · Post by **code-man850** » 19 Jul 2010, 13:26

I have made a bracket that attaches to the side of glovebox area and screws into the door frame area. Only dash pad and glovebox removal are needed. Its been over two years and it's still holding strong. It reduced the squeeky noise by probably 70% Search "easy dash fix" or email me at [email protected] and I'll send you my pics with a write up. (** I am already making one for a guy this weekend, 7-25-10, if you want one it would be really easy to make two at the same time.

Post by **Volvo_240_Atari_2600** » 20 Jul 2010, 18:09

OK...

So I've been lurking through this post for weeks now... More so over the last few days.
My question to OZARK or anyone else that did this repair... To what extent did you remove the dash?

In Chris Cintron's photos from within the engine bay, the Dash top looks to be off the rest of the dash structure.
I removed a padded dash top from a 99 s70 at the local u pull it yard and I did that in under 45 minutes.

The structural support of the dash that OZARK repaird so BEAUTIFULLY, is what I saw left behind in that car when I removed the top. Did you remove the top first? Or did you remove the complete dash as one unit... Chris' photo shows a COMPLETE dash on the floor.

Did you guys pull the steering wheel for this job also?
I take it you had to remove the center console as well?

I know for a fact that the evaporator was replaced in this car by a dealer in the TAMPA area a little over three years ago. We purchased this 98 v70 in October 2007 and she had the AC compressor and evaporator done. I know that some time before that... the Odometer had to be replaced by VOLVO as her odometer stopped working at some point (the old owner)

I want to do this job as the squeaking from the right side is driving us nuts.
Any new points would be highly appreciated, but either way, I am having Cody create a pas side braket for me as I do feel play in that corner of the dash which leads me to believe that the dash is just as shot as his was in the black 850 he did that repair in.

Thanks
Eric

Post by **MNCO1** » 20 Jul 2010, 19:25

I guess removing the dash top pad is optional. I removed the instrument panel in separate pieces. Darn things are fragile and it seemed better to break the weight down a little. Also, it was a great time to replace all of my lights in the instrument cluster. Wished I went ahead and did the odometer gear too. That repair occurred 6 months later. Its just a matter of time.... So it is important to follow that reference on replacing the evaporator Lee gave in his first post. It shows in great detail the step by step procedure for removing the dash. I did need to remove the steering wheel and the center console (replace lights there too). I got paranoid and followed both the Haynes Manual and the evaporator change out. Label each screw and bolt because by the time everything is out you have a small pile of various hardware. I have had my dash pad out twice now and I am amazed how fragile it is. The old plastic doesn't hold up. I certainly can't see wrenching one end of the top pad up to get to the cluster. Instrument panel underneath is in great shape since I bought it new. The top has bunches of cracks and broken tabs. If I have too much money on hand I'll buy a new top to go with the more recent instrument panel.

Post by **Volvo_240_Atari_2600** » 20 Jul 2010, 19:32

WOW... the steering wheel huh?
I really have to think this one out now.
I should not cry or complain right?
I either want a fix or shut up and deal with it.
I just need to absorb this idea of having to take on this monsterous task.
Thanks
Eric

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 21 Jul 2010, 00:51

In my case I removed the entire dash as a unit and didn't take the cap off. It would make it lighter if you did but the passenger's side airbag is difficult to get free from the mountings and I hate to get very aggressive with the airbag.

As I have stated before, this is not as bad as it looks in the writeups but it takes patience and time.

...Lee

code-man850 · Post by **code-man850** » 21 Jul 2010, 08:16

One last time... If you are at ends with attempting this major surgery on your dash I have a bracket I can make that installs in 15min. and will hold your dash from bouncing around and possibly falling in your lap someday. You can hardly notice the bracket. Stops most of the squeaking too. Trust me, its better than letting your dash completely fall off.

Post by **Volvo_240_Atari_2600** » 04 Oct 2010, 11:44

Cody...
Never got my Bracket.
Please contact me.
Eric

Post by **vjaneczko** » 02 Jul 2011, 20:33

Anyone know the size of the Torx screw to remove the steering wheel? I've looked all over and can't find anyone that's posted it and I can't figure it out. I've gone from a T-20 to a T-30 and haven't felt any teeth catching to tell me if I'm even close...

Volvo 850 Dashboard Mount Repair

Re: Volvo 850 Dashboard Mount Repair