1998 S70 Shaky headlights (SOLVED) Topic is solved

RigsPGT · Post by **RigsPGT** » 13 Jan 2014, 00:21

Hi all,
I purchased a 98 S70 NA for my wife and for the past month I've been reading trying to get familiar with the car, also fixing issues one by one from spring seats, struts, shocks, fuel door, coolant leak from reservoir, control arms, end links, brakes to little things like PCV elbow under the PS pump that throws a P0172 code and messes up the MAF (although i think i saved it for now).
Anyway, the latest that caught my eye was the headlight beams shaking while going over bumps. At first I thought the adjusters had been broken off and the housings might just be loose in the assembly but after a quick inspection, they were solid and the vibration comes from the header panel (had to find exact name). Although the panel looks secure on the mounting tabs, somehow it does pick up enough movement to shake the headlights as if the fiberglass is weak.
Tomorrow I will go over each and every bolt to make sure they are tight but I was wondering if anyone had the same problem and had to replace their header panel due to fatigue or it was just a simple fix of tightening the bolts?
Thank You,
Rigs

Post by **phils94850** » 13 Jan 2014, 04:36

welcome to the site ! Ive never heard of this being a common problem. Id say you have some loose bolts somewhere. My question is why ?

Post by **kcodyjr** » 13 Jan 2014, 07:56

Loose bolts plural can only mean it was taken apart.

Could have been to do a radiator or something, or it could have been hit.

Post by **jblackburn** » 13 Jan 2014, 10:25

Yeah, mine did that.

Open the glass (couple clips around the edges), make sure that the lower part of the headlight is seated on the little alignment pivot ball inside.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 13 Jan 2014, 18:02

jblackburn wrote:Yeah, mine did that.

Open the glass (couple clips around the edges), make sure that the lower part of the headlight is seated on the little alignment pivot ball inside.

+1

My daughter's S70 had the same problem. Avoid touching the reflective surface, you can't really clean it and it is easily damaged.

...Lee

RigsPGT · Post by **RigsPGT** » 13 Jan 2014, 20:08

Sorry guys didn't get a chance to work on it today! From what i remember the headlights look solid when you try to rock them but i will double check again. I'm leaning into a possible radiator change and they forgot to tighten the bolts as the rest of the front ends paint looks evenly worn. Detailing cars on the side has given me a good eye to detect defects, new paint and this was one of the reason I went forward with the purchase. Other than that for a one owner @127k miles, this car hasn't seen much care or maintenance except a belt change at 70k. Thank you all for the replies

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 13 Jan 2014, 20:33

The outer case will be stationary and solid but the inner part of the headlight is what comes loose from the pivot ball on the adjuster. The good part is that it just pops back into the socket with minimal force by pressing on the edge of the reflector.

I wouldn't try to fix it in subzero temps though since the plastic gets brittle and the ball or the socket might break.

...Lee

csturner · Post by **csturner** » 14 Jan 2014, 02:19

I also vote for the pivot ball being dislodged. That is how both headlights were when I purchased my 98 S70.

RigsPGT · Post by **RigsPGT** » 14 Jan 2014, 18:13

Found out both, the bolts on the panel board being a bit loose and the driver's side headlight had come loose inside. On mine it was the rubber hose on top being disconnected

Thanks for the tips guys

Rigs

Post by **DragosGD** » 20 Jan 2026, 13:40

I know it's an old topic but there is a solution to the headlights shaking when going over bumps! There is also a Service Bulletin from HELLA & VOLVO. Unfortunately, I don't have VOLVO's SB that included the part number!