Convertible top ‘strip, center’ part number 31256491 alternative 2012 c70

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After discovering that the ‘center, strip’, item 26 (Volvo part number 31256491) is actually supposed to be elastic, rather than what I found on my 10+ year old c70, I bought replacements at $30 each. Painful.

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The new part is only 6-1/4” long (my old ones measured 12”).

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My daughter provided me with some Dritz 9341W elastic to compare and it does seem similar in spring stiffness. It is apparently also available in black. There are probably other items that would work in the craft fabric stores. I think just tying a knot would work for anchors. However, I found the crimped metal also functions as a ‘weak link’ as the cord pulls out before snapping the cord/elastic, or breaking a plastic mount in another part of the system.

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I hope this post can avoid some folks paying overpriced dealership parts cost.

Knowing what the correct length should be and the approximate stretchyness will hopefully help diagnose why the back of the headliner may not be folding in fully and interfering with the parcel shelf when operating the top.

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