Getting to the Dash Mounts 98 V70 XC

[volvocole]

Hello to the Forum.

I stumbled onto a thread between bosdub and MadeInJapan about getting to the check engine light. I need to go a bit deeper into my 98 v70xc.

The dash mounts on the drivers side have either broken or loosened and they make a heck of a racket (squeeking and crunching sounds). Can I get to them by removing the torx screws holding down the dash cover? How best to remove the vents covers/louvers? Does the cluster need to come out en route to the dash mounts?

I have already removed the cowling cover to expose the wiper mech and the cabin air filter, but that didn't help too much.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[FCPEURO]

This how to may help you out.

http://volvospeed.com/Dashremove.php

[C@lvin]

I just finished this project last week. It is easily a two-day project, but WELL WORTH it. I tried various tactics since purchasing my S70 almost two years ago to shim the dash and quiet the noise and none of them were satisfactory. I wish I had just gone to the trouble to fix it right a long time ago.

There are two links to descriptions of this project that I used in addition to VADIS - the Volvo dealer service manual on CD. The links are:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=15115

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.ph ... l-writeup/ (same link already posted by FCP I think)

I also replaced all the instrument cluster bulbs while I was in there.

Your model might have slight variations to the disassembly of the dash, as did my S70, but it was very close. The plastic mounting brackets and the fix illustrated in these two links were identical to my 98 S70.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.....

[volvocole]

Thanks for the replies. I have taken a look at the wonderful links regarding dash removal.

I have taken all the T25 screws out of the dash cover and there is still something holding down the passenger side cover near the airbag.

Questions:
What do I need to remove to get the dash cover off the vehicle without removing the entire dash?
and
Will removing the dash cover help me get to the (assumed) broken mounts to fix the noise?

Thanks

[Ozark Lee]

Did you remove the glove box and take out the bolts that hold the airbag in place?

Be sure the battery is disconnected before you unplug the airbag or it will trip the SRS warning.

Getting the cap off will not get you to the dash mounts.

...Lee

[volvocole]

Thanks Lee - the glovebox is out, but I did not take out the airbag. If the removing the cap won't get me to the mounts then it looks like I'm going to have to come to grips with taking out the whole dash...rats!

Stay tuned.

[Ozark Lee]

Removing the whole dash is not really that difficult if you go at it methodically with Woodjoiner's instructions. Give yourself a couple of days and an assistant to help you get the dash in and out of the car is invaluable.

...Lee

[volvocole]

This repair was much easier than I expected, and the results are incredibly satisfying. Having a squeak-free and crunch-free car back is nearly priceless.

The worst part was fashioning the new mounts from .0625" Aluminum bar, 1.5" wide for the middle two and 1" wide for the ends. I should have used thinner material - it would have been easier to bend.

With proper preparation and a cleared slate this repair can be done in one day, easy.

I used #12 1" self-drilling screws with rubber washers through clearance holes in the aluminum.

The end mounts were a bit tricky to fashion (not parallel where the Al meets the defrost vent) in one piece, so I used two and put the nut behind both - the bolts are long enough to engage even with the extra distance to go.

The mid mounts were easy by comparison.

I used a 4.5" angle grinder to grind the old mounts off so that the new Al was at the right plane.

Green adhesive-backed felt was used to ensure squeaklessness.

Check out the pictures.

Thanks to those who have gone before and written about it!