What did you do to your P2 Volvo today?

[SOURDOUGHJIM]

I needed to check the Trans fluid level which I haven't done since I bought the car earlier in the year. The radiator hose passes over the top of the dipstick. I used a plastic flowerpot hook to pull the hose out of the way, 1-5/8" hook. Fits perfectly. Transmission is overfilled. Will do a dump and fill probably tomorrow.

[vtl]

I needed to check the Trans fluid level which I haven't done since I bought the car earlier in the year. The radiator hose passes over the top of the dipstick. I used a plastic flowerpot hook to pull the hose out of the way, 1-5/8" hook. Fits perfectly. Transmission is overfilled. Will do a dump and fill probably tomorrow.

You aware you need to measure it with the engine running, right?

[SOURDOUGHJIM]

No. Thank you for pointing that out!

[BlackBart]

Yes, that dipstick location and length are a pain in the ass (or wrist), aren't they? Especially when everything is red hot.

[vtl]

Yes, that dipstick location and length are a pain in the ass (or wrist), aren't they? Especially when everything is red hot.

You complain that a 20 y.o. engine is still able to start, run for prolonged periods of time and even reach operational temperature. Did I get it right?

[BlackBart]

tru.

I have some old gloves in the back for checking the level on trips, pulling off the freeway good and warm.

[SOURDOUGHJIM]

Re-checked the transmission oil level after I got back from town, engine running, in Park. Level is correct. Brown though. Dump and fill tomorrow with the engine oil change. Will do the same at the next oil change.

[Skymongrel]

Restored the leather on my XC70's steering wheel. Car has 190K on it and the original coating of the leather wheel had worn off down to the underlying leather material. It was pretty disgusting.

I used a product called Leathemagic. They offer two Volvo-like colorants called Oak/Arena and Oak. My car interior code is 980 which is Oak, for some reason I ordered Oak/Arena and although my steering wheel looks BRAND NEW, the color is a bit greenish under certain lighting. I may have had better luck with the Oak colorant.

I applied this product without removing the wheel and after cleaning, prepping and sanding, used 5-6 very light coatings following the directions explicitly. Super results!

[Skymongrel]

Got tired of looking at my nasty A-pillars on my 2006 XC70, the trim that runs vertically along the inside of the front windshield. The fabric had pulled away and was saggy and nasty. I tried to find used ones and had no luck (I also remembered that these were used replacements already). I tried to order news ones and discovered they were discontinued.

So I pulled the A-pillar trim pieces off and reupholstered them myself.

1. Removed A-pillars by tugging at the top of trim with fingertips then reaching in and removing a plastic connector by rotating it 90 degrees and pulling it out. The trim then came loose easily.

2. The fun part; I pulled the old fabric off revealing old orangey deteriorating foam. Using a bristle brush I scrubbed the old foam off. This left what appears to be a fabric liner material glued to the plastic trim. The original fabric appears to be a three layer deal; liner, foam and then the fabric that is visible. This liner material is a pain to remove, I used a 60 grit foam sanding block and a pocket knife to sand and scrape the material off. I didn't take it off completely but down to what I'll call a peach-fuzz consistency.

3. At Hobby Lobby I bought a 1/2 yard of their tan headliner material (it was on sale, they only had two colors tan and grey).

4. Using an upholstery spray adhesive, I liberally coated both the plastic trim and headliner fabric. Make sure to coat the trim edges thoroughly .... I repeat make sure to coat the edges thoroughly !!!

5. Grabbing one end of the coated headliner material, I laid it down over the top of the trim piece lightly making contact between he two surfaces with my hand. Once the end to end contact was made I lightly smoothed fabric to the edges. You must do this lightly if you press too hard the results will be lumpy as the outer fabric will compress down and absorb the adhesive.

6. This is an import step; do not trim away the excess material yet! Let it dry overnight. If you trim immediately you will compress that outer fabric down into the adhesive and get lumps!

7. The following day I trimmed the excess fabric still handling the trim panel gently. I discovered a trick to cut the excess material off neatly. It is tricky because there isn't a straight edge to lay down and cut fabric neatly against a hard surface; so I used some foam pipe insulation (that grey stuff) held it to the edge of the trim allowing it to conform to the curves and cut through the fabric and into the foam for a nice clean cut. You must use a new razor knife, I used a cheap one with the breakaway segments.

8. Reinstall the trim carefully, do not allow the windshield rubber to bugger up your nice new fabric edges. Patience. Note: my interior code is 980, which is "Oak", the Hobby Lobby tan is close enough but not perfect.

This got a bit long winded but hope this age old problem helps some folks out.

[850 LPT]

That looks pretty awesome, steering wheel and windshield trim. Thanks for sharing the procedures too!