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Question about door panel construction - inserts or all one piece? S70 1998

posted by  TimeToBakeTheDonuts on  Mon Aug 11 07:40 CST 2008
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last visit: Thu Aug 29 16:10 CST 2013
[RELATED]

I have the same problem a lot of others have experienced - the vinyl on my door panels has come loose from the backer board. This is happening only next to where your elbow rests, on the vertical surface of what looks like an "insert".

I know there has been a lot written about the problem, and it seems there are only two or three solutions (new panel, Volvo repair kit + lots of labor, having panels re-covered).

My question is, are what appear to be inserts really inserts, or does the entire door panel have to be redone? The trim piece that the door handle sits in, and where your arm sits, is a different color vinyl than the surrounding area and looks like it may come out of the larger door panel (if you have it off the car).

Sorry to post this, but no posts I have found talk much about the door panel construction, and I don't want to remove the panel just to look into this.

Thanks, Don

By the way, if anyone knows if the repair kits Volvo sold are still available, that would be great info.







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    Question about door panel construction - inserts or all one piece? S70 1998

    posted by  bryan goldberg on  Wed Aug 13 02:44 CST 2008
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    last visit: Wed Jun 26 12:41 CST 2013
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    TBD,

    You do NOT need to disassemble the door panel. The foam will need to be removed though.

    The Volvo inserts look like crap if not installed well, plus they aren't as deeply padded.

    Two permanent solution:

    1. Replace the door panel.
    2. Have a trim shop install a foam backed vinyl, alcantara (like the "R") or leather.

    BTW I've noticed that prices for parts have dropped dramatically at places like Volvo of Richardson, aka Myswedishparts.com

    I can also highly recommend Volvo & SAAB Dismantlers in CA for great quality and low prices.

    Good luck,
    Bryan







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    Door panel kit - anyone ever see a successful application? S70 1998

    posted by  someone claiming to be V70driver on  Mon Aug 11 12:38 CST 2008 [RELATED]

    I asked about the kit about 2 years ago. The Volvo shop guys told me it consisted of new vinyl without a foam backing. But before it could be glued to the inner panel fiberboard or cardboard, the old, glue-saturated foam had to be completely scraped away. They hated it and subcontracted to an upholstery shop two blocks away. I went to the shop and the owner said the results looked horrible because they could never get the new vinyl stretched down properly in the indented area (the very place where the original vinyl pulls away). All in all, an unsatisfactory solution. Maybe a big city dealer with more experience could do it well; I just don't know. Nowadays, I think 100% of the pre-2002 Volvos I see have vinyl bubbling and many 850s seem to have vinyl pulling away from the top of the door panels (where it meets the glass). Originally I thought the Southern summer destroyed the vinyl, but readers from all over the country report the same problem.

    Note, I have never yet seen photo proof of one of the home-made solutions (pump glue in there, etc.).








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    Question about door panel construction - inserts or all one piece? S70 1998

    posted by  KlausC on  Mon Aug 11 11:13 CST 2008
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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    Don,
    When you get ready to remove a rear door panel, take pics and write it up. Then either post back on the BB or VS. We would appreciate it.

    Klaus
    --
    I still miss my 164 and my 854T. Just driving a V70R :)








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    Question about door panel construction - inserts or all one piece? S70 1998

    posted by  TimeToBakeTheDonuts on  Mon Aug 11 07:49 CST 2008
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    last visit: Thu Aug 29 16:10 CST 2013
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    BB wouldn't let me edit for some reason.

    I just saw on bay13 the inside if the panel looks pretty continuous and a lot of insulation appears glued on. Getting the panel apart may be an impossibility. It is hard to believe that the (more than one color in my car) vinyl that covers the entire panel is installed in one piece.








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      Question about door panel construction - inserts or all one piece? S70 1998

      posted by  KlausC on  Mon Aug 11 09:08 CST 2008
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      last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      Multiple pieces. Read this:

      http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=92572&hl=vinyl

      A member had his covered in real suede which looks really bad from my stand point. I like the leather in my R better. If you look closely in the 1st pic, you can see where the door pull panel comes apart.

      I cannot tell you if the panel is glued or fastened some other way, I have never had a need to remove my door panel.

      Pull the panel off of the rear door on the driver's side, it will have the same construction and fewer switches than the driver's door. Find an upholstery store that will have thicker vinyl and better glue. Also ask about new foam at the bottom of the armrest to make it more comfortable for you elbow.

      I would imagine about $50/door, if the door pull panel is removed first. You could also try to find a poor R owner, 98-00, that has trashed his car. The R has leather inserts which never bubble :)

      Klaus

      Keep the Volvo, keep the Volvo...
      --
      I still miss my 164 and my 854T. Just driving a V70R :)








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        Question about door panel construction - inserts or all one piece? S70 1998

        posted by  TimeToBakeTheDonuts on  Tue Aug 12 17:53 CST 2008
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        last visit: Thu Aug 29 16:10 CST 2013
        [RELATED]

        Thanks a lot Klaus. I had not come across this post, and it answers the question. I note that my '05 V70 has a "stitched" appearance along the bottom of the inset area, whereas the '98 is all one piece. My guess is they shoved the '98 piece on with a formed press, and relied on the adhesive to be strong enough to hold. It makes more sense that the inset area is formed somewhat in the material to be attached (as the '05 appears to be), by virtue of its construction. Then little deformation is required to place it.

        I didn't go back and look, but I think the replacement in the photos you referenced are done the same way (two pieces used per panel).

        Thanks for demystifying this a bit. I may muster up the effort to remove a back panel as you suggest, and see if I can get it apart. I'll post back when I get to it.

        Regards, Don

        '98 S70 T5 56.6K







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