Login Register

S/V 70 headlight dimness and reflector shimmy

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

Post Reply
kahl
Posts: 943
Joined: 27 October 2012
Year and Model: 2000V70XC
Location: columbus ohio
Been thanked: 10 times

S/V 70 headlight dimness and reflector shimmy

Post by kahl »

Reflective chrome plated worn away and pitted
Reflective chrome plated worn away and pitted
Broken tab on black case drilled out for a 5/16 screw that is inserted into rubber tube
Broken tab on black case drilled out for a 5/16 screw that is inserted into rubber tube
The ball socket can be carefully pried off the white bracket from the bulb side of assembly
The ball socket can be carefully pried off the white bracket from the bulb side of assembly
On my new to me 2000 V70 I was shocked by the lack of projection of the headlight beams. In addition one of the light assemblies reflector bounced on every bump. What I found was opaque lens covers and no reflective chrome on the reflector. The reflector bounce was caused by a broken tab that holds the reflector with a rubber hose.

The reflector can be removed once the lens cover is removed. Reflector is held rigid by the horizontal and vertical clip, and the rubber hose that can be pushed off the tab on the reflector side.

The broken tab on the black housing kept the rubber tube from being rigid. A 5/16 machine screw inserted from back side of the back housing screwed into the rubber hose. I used JB Weld as an adhesive.

I was able to get new glass lens from the Volvo store on ebay . The lens I took off were plastic.

I apologize for the unorganized picture posting, I do not know how to get them organized. Hopefully a moderator can move them around.
Attachments
Replacement reflector
Replacement reflector
Finished assembly
Finished assembly

User avatar
FLXC90
Posts: 1132
Joined: 18 August 2014
Year and Model: 98 V70 T5
Location: Florida Panhandle
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 45 times

Post by FLXC90 »

smart fix on the tab, also for a cheap temporary fix until reflectors come in, you can clean and re-spray the reflectors with high reflective chrome spray paint ($3.95) about three mist coats and a couple hours drying time, voila, darkness banished!
Current Volvos:
1998 V70 T5, 112k sat 5 years, still in mechanical coma (finally at the top of the pile )
2004 XC90 T6 AWD: 186k, 60 on transaxle ( traded in )
1998 POS70 N/A: DD/training aid, 236k but really about 240k, I think...ABS module( passed on to son who sold it)

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post