reskin or replace front seats?

[oragex]

I recently pulled the whole package: skin, foam, and supporting spring base from a 2007 S60

I wanted to swap these on my 2003. I soon realized the seats are so very different on 2001-2003 compared to 204-2009 (not sure if it changed on 2004 or later). The entire seats are in no way compatible between these years, different rails, different SRS connectors, different heating element voltage etc

Removing the skin and pad is a doable job, I used a thin long nose pliers to twist open the many metal clips that may secure the skin and foam pieces. The harder part is of course removing the seat from the car (I removed first the headrest, then fold the seat with the two rear buttons - good to know Volvo did remove these fold buttons on the 2004 and up driver seat).

Removing the headrest is the hardest part because not only the release clips are so very hard to locate and depress, but even when depressed the headrest may be hard to slide out: a helper is a good find here.

The lumbar knob is removed by popping out the center cap cover with a flap screw driver.

On the upright section, the foam is bent under the frame just at the top of the seat so slide a hand and push it away from the metal frame at the top before starting to slide the skin off the frame.

So if you go, definitely try to remove the skins along with the foam pads and with the spring base for both the bottom and the upright sections of the seat. The spring bases detach from the metal frame easily, just force a little bit on them.

Side note, as mentioned some models will have a weight sensor pad on the passenger seat, it looks like a large white pad with gel caps that sits in between the supporting spring base and the foam.

[azureblue]

so the skins and foam are the same for 2007?

[June]

My new Volvo skins.

[abscate]

Get some Connolly leather treatment on those, and put a 'no screwdriver' post it on your window.

[June]

Get some Connolly leather treatment on those, and put a 'no screwdriver' post it on your window.

I will definitely treat them. I am so happy to have my car back! They had her three weeks! I got used to the XC90 T6, but it sure feels good to drive the real T6 again. June

[KurtL]

I went down to an upholstry shop and they matched the black leather in my 2001 V70 almost exactly. I pulled the seats and took them down and the guy replaced the worn panels only on both driver and passanger for $500. They look good!

[abscate]

Great deal Kurt....and in low rent Laguna to boot...

I spent most of last winter at Moms in Laguna on parent patrol..

[June]

I went down to an upholstry shop and they matched the black leather in my 2001 V70 almost exactly. I pulled the seats and took them down and the guy replaced the worn panels only on both driver and passanger for $500. They look good!

Add photos. June