Help! Rear Seat Top install 99 V70 XC P80

TRNorton · Post by **TRNorton** » 21 Jul 2024, 19:09

Seat Swapping my immaculate interior of my wrecked 99 V70 XC into my functioning 99 V70 XC.

I have successfully removed all the seats from both vehicles and had no problem installing the front seats (obviously).
However I am having a helluvuh time getting the back seat tops installed because of the "spring loaded' brackets that hold the seats side in and allow for the swivel of the seats up and down.

I have tried everything I can think of like just starting the "post" into the slot and pushing with a pry bar on the bracket counter clock wise to rotate the spring loaded bracket and I can just get it almost to "level' then the pry bar will slip off.

Surely it can't be this hard... Am I missing a special tool from Volvo? Is there a trick I can't find online? (plenty of help getting a seat out but nothing to help get em back in). HELP!! I have spent sweaty hours trying to get these right...

Oro · Post by **Oro** » 22 Jul 2024, 01:54

I’m not the expert here, but Robert usually is. Keep in mind, most stuff with our 99/00 bastard cars is continuous with 850s, outside the turbos and engine management. Google that when you have a problem. I think Robert covers this here, see the middle bit about fiddling with tensioned clips:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IxvqKNf9G-E

Post by **abscate** » 22 Jul 2024, 03:44

These things are horrible and I too have spent hours of life wrestling with these pigs

Post by **scot850** » 22 Jul 2024, 08:37

I recall making this mistake at one point. It took a lot of engineering language to persuade it to come out!

Neil.

TRNorton · Post by **TRNorton** » 22 Jul 2024, 10:11

Like I said in my post (does anyone actually read them before commenting?!?

) I have had ZERO issues getting the seat back OUT thanks to DIY Roberts video.

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night with the solution.

The issue (like I said in my original post) is that the bracket is spring loaded via a cable that runs up inside the seat. You need something that can grab the bracket and rotate it clockwise under tension. Med size Channel Locks work perfectly. Literally took me 45 sec to install.

I shot a video and will post it in the future when I have completed the rest of the car (Must stay FOCUSED!)

Post by **scot850** » 22 Jul 2024, 11:54

Oops, I did read your message but somehow missed the point of having a challenge re-fitting it! Well done on getting there. Many times I have walked away from a problem only to wake up during the night with a solution like you had. Strangely, my issue was getting the stubborn seat out, I don't recall having any issue re-fitting it! Probably why I blanked it out. Sorry!

Glad you are making a huge progress on this large project. Looking forward to see pictures of the completed operations!

Neil.

Oro · Post by **Oro** » 22 Jul 2024, 15:59

TRNorton wrote: ↑22 Jul 2024, 10:11 Like I said in my post (does anyone actually read them before commenting?!? ) I have had ZERO issues getting the seat back OUT thanks to DIY Roberts video.
….

Yes, did read your post. You said nothing about accessing the video, and I made the assumption you might be able to reverse the process. Sorry for trying to help; will not make the mistake again!

TRNorton · Post by **TRNorton** » 22 Jul 2024, 22:42

Sorry if the smiling emoji was not enough - didn't intent to hurt your feelings. I was super clear however that I had no problem getting them OUT and IN was the issue, tensioned clips only come into play in removal. I guess my comments about a trick I can't find online was to cryptic. I always goto DIY Robert first. He is awesome but his video clearly talks about removal - with only a comment about needing to push hard for reinstall... which I did for many sweaty hours. I will try to do better next time. I forget that TONE rarely comes across in text.

Post by **scot850** » 22 Jul 2024, 22:46

No problem from me. Life moves on!

My favorite saying, " The next perfect human I meet will be the first one.........!"

Good Luck with the rest of the swap over?

Neil.

TRNorton · Post by **TRNorton** » 23 Jul 2024, 07:59

Thank you Neil !! I have completed the swap over and will post photos on my original post. Super happy with how it turned out! Today I am pulling the master cylinder and brake booster. Luckily I had a former Volvo Mechanic over yesterday because he wanted the hood of my wrecked V70. I let him have it for $75 and some tutoring on what final parts I should focus on that are OSP. He also hipped me to how you get the cowl and upper dash off to get to the brake booster. I have about 12 hours today before the salvage man comes to take it away! Wish me luck!!