reskin or replace front seats?

[azureblue]

2001 V70T5.. Time to do something about the worn fronts seat, and the non working seat heaters.

I have read a little about job, from the standpoint of replacing the entire seat, but I read some stories about how the seat controls will stop working, CEM type stuff, that could require a reprogramming to the Replacement seats. I read one suggestion to swap the seat control module back to the original, but then, that didn't always work.

I thought about the alternative, which would be to just reskin the seats, hognose pliers, etc., but that look like I will have to pull the seats out of the donor car and my car, to do the job, and to me, that sounds like I could be risking creating a seat control module problem.

skill is not an issue, I have done both jobs before on other cars. Reskinning was a big PITA, though... The seat swap thing looks to be the easiest, but riskier.

The seat heaters should just be a job of continuity on the heaters themselves to make sure the wiring isn't broken, then checking relays and power. And trying to fool the thermostat into thinking it's cold enough to make the heaters come on.


BTW - any seat from 2001 to 2005, 60, 70 and 80?
Input, advice, etc.?

[cn90]

- I believe Volvo sells the cover for the seat bottom, about $180-$200.

- I think it is worth it to reskin it.

[azureblue]

I am lucky to be close to a parts yard that always seems to have at least 6 donors there. I go there every time they have a new car there. Luck...

[abscate]

I am lucky to be close to a parts yard that always seems to have at least 6 donors there. I go there every time they have a new car there. Luck...

You should buy up each seat for $50 and sell the skins for $150

I thought June paid about $400 from Volvo

[June]

I am lucky to be close to a parts yard that always seems to have at least 6 donors there. I go there every time they have a new car there. Luck...

You should buy up each seat for $50 and sell the skins for $150

I thought June paid about $400 from Volvo

$400.00ish times two, back and bottom separate. My car is in Volvo right now for a rear main seal, breaks all around, and Glory Hallelujah The seat skins will be installed as well. Hopefully I get her back Monday! June

[SuperHerman]

It is not a tough job. I swapped out seat covers on my S60 from another S60. If I recall correctly I had all the issues you mentioned. My work around if I recall correctly was to use the entire upright from the donor, and then swap the seat cushion and cover over to the original frame. This maintained all the electronics. Your approach may vary if you have heated seats depending on what you buy. I also had to jumper the electric motors to gain access. This was for a 2001 S60

On my 2005 V50, my daughter left the sunroof open and ruined the leather. I bought a used seat and just swapped over the covers. The only item of concern was the seat weight sensor worked on the original and not on the new seat, so I had to take it apart again and move the original back.

It is not fun, but not that bad a job. In the end for the S60 I had nice leather seats with no cracks or aging rather than ratty vinyl and on the V50 I had clean leather once again.

[azureblue]

I hadn't thought of using the entire seat back. That would save a bunch of work there. Thanks - great idea....

[abscate]

On a P80 the back skin slips down the padding while the seat cushion can be removed with the skin. Is theP2 the same ?

[Georgeandkira]

Upholstery shop in Hackensack charged $350 for doing the driver's seat in my 2002 with DEAD ON matching vinyl.
I couldn't've been happier.
A leather shop in Teaneck wanted >$750 to reskin THAT ONE SEAT.

[abscate]

I’m feeling better about my 4 hours to reskin my P80...even SWMBO thought it looked good