Reinforcing S70 Dashboard Mounts.

Gnat66 · Post by **Gnat66** » 04 Jul 2011, 09:00

I recently pulled a dashboard out of a V70 to put into my S70 to stop the annoying squeaks and cracking. I know this is due to the broken mounts that hold the dash on to the firewall. The mounts on my new dash are all in tact and I'd like to keep it that way. Is there a way I can reinforce the mounts so I won't run into this problem down the road again? Once it's fixed I think I would go crazy if my dashboard started doing it again... so before I put the new one in is there anything I can do? Thanks.

Post by **JimBee** » 04 Jul 2011, 10:48

The question is, Why are the dash mounts breaking? I think what let's go first are the side mounts, right side of the glove box seems to be weak. It's only plastic and the moderate weight of the dash assembly banging down on that mount when you hit a bump, eventually cracks it. With the side mount flopping, the full "hanging" (part of the weight that moves vertically) weight of the dash is now on the firewall mounts.
How I fixed my side mount: With the dash pad off (not hard to remove), I used about an 1/8" drill bit and drilled a hole through the dash molding to the right of—and above— the glove box. I aimed my drill down through the speaker hole. The idea is to get a hole through the plastic and into the tubular metal frame post. Then, use the heftiest sheet metal screw (about 2 1/2" long, if I recall correctly) you can turn into the hole. It should be big enough to force through the plastic hole and force into the metal anchor. Most of my driving is around city streets, which last winter were more like stage coach trails after a month of hard rain. Even with all the chassis banging, the quick fix has held up and virtually (99 %) stopped the squeaking.

Post by **JRL** » 04 Jul 2011, 12:30

If they're all together you can epoxy all around them or better yet, epoxy some thin resin around them

Post by **vjaneczko** » 05 Jul 2011, 08:35

I'd also take a look at Ozark Lee's write-up for the tab repair. He adds some metal strips to help support the nut bracket thingy, that may be a good bit to add.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 06 Jul 2011, 14:22

Here is how I reinforced mine. At any time I have a dashboard out I would go ahead and beef them up, even if they haven't broken - Yet.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=15115

Volvo tried all kinds of environmentally friendly plastics and adhesives but the problem is that, over time, the plastics all break and the adhesives don't stick.

...Lee