04 XC70 Headlight Lens Replacement Options

bmilstone · Post by **bmilstone** » 14 Mar 2017, 11:08

I shattered the glass in the right headlight in a minor accident yesterday, and am sorting out the best replacement options. As an aside, I have very little DIY car experience and am happy to get help if needed.

The headlight itself seems undamaged, except for the glass. It looks like the lens replacement is a cheap $60 on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Volvo-V70-XC70- ... p=mtr#rwid

My questions:

1. Can the lens on an 04 XC70 be replaced without taking the headlight out of the car?

2. I've searched for walkthroughs/videos of lens replacement for a pre-05 XC70 with little luck. Do you know of any tutorials or good guides for a DIY replacement of the glass lens?

TIA for any and all help here!

Post by **oragex** » 15 Mar 2017, 02:51

So yours are glass, not plastic? You may try removing only the glass part but the tabs may break. The whole headlight must come out
This video is for S60

I'm not sure, but it may be the same as the S60 and V70 from 2001-2003 and perhaps early 2004 - the glass type. Tons of them on Ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/01-04-Volvo-V70 ... ve&vxp=mtr

Post by **chrism** » 15 Mar 2017, 13:30

The overall size and shape of the headlight assembly is the same for the S60 and the V70. However, the bulb and lense configuration is slightly different between the two models - the way they're partitioned inside. If you go to a wrecking yard you will find many more S60 headlights than V70, at least that's been my experience. I have been told that you can use S60 lights in a V70, and even though they are configured differently, the wiring will still connect up and work properly. I believe that's true. If you went that route you would probably want to replace both sides so that they visually match.

Headlight replacement requires you to take the front bumper skin off. This link may help. (Give it plenty of time to download):

http://www.v70xc.com/0/resources/how-to ... C_2000.pdf

The last time I was at the Pick-n-pull yard I saw at least three pairs of good V70 / XC70 glass headlights. I was tempted to grab a spare pair just because. Of course the next time I really need one there won't be any to be found.

BTW, if you look very closely at the way the LH and RH lenses are faceted inside, you will notice they are NOT exactly symmetrical. I pulled my hair out trying to find a RH headlight that was perfectly symmetrical to my LH lense before I finally concluded they aren't supposed to be symmetrical. It must have something to do with the fact that we drive on the RH side of the road and Volvo doesn't want us blinding the oncoming drivers???

Post by **cn90** » 17 Feb 2019, 09:12

Related issue,

My 2004 V70 Right HL Glass shattered on its own (we had very cold weather such as -20F recently.
Has anyone had this issue, i.e., the glass shattered on its own due to VERY COLD weather?

Post by **Rattnalle** » 17 Feb 2019, 09:49

No but it's possible if it's been damaged previously. Also I wouldn't rule out a rock or ice strike being involved, that I've experienced.

Post by **cn90** » 17 Feb 2019, 19:28

Mystery solved...

Just found out, my kid told me at the High School parking lot (he drives this Volvo to school), someone left a note that he/she hit my kid's Volvo HL lens!
It was a clean hit w/o paint damage.

Anyway, went to the junk yard, got a HL assembly for $25.
Since the other kid is honest, I eat up the cost and does not send him/her the bill.
All is well now.

XC70Rider · Post by **XC70Rider** » 17 Feb 2019, 20:23

cn90 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2019, 19:28 Mystery solved...

Just found out, my kid told me at the High School parking lot (he drives this Volvo to school), someone left a note that he/she hit my kid's Volvo HL lens!
It was a clean hit w/o paint damage.

Anyway, went to the junk yard, got a HL assembly for $25.
Since the other kid is honest, I eat up the cost and does not send him/her the bill.
All is well now.

Giving the honest kid a break is a nice gesture!

Having adaptive headlights the plastic lens has internal melting signs on my headlights. I prefer glass lens so I'll search the junk yards for earlier P2s that had them.