Volvo AWD V70-XC70 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 5/2002 V70-XC70 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

The door panel covering at door release is shrinking! What to do? V70-XC70 1999

posted by  someone claiming to be Hugh on  Sun Aug 16 21:09 CST 2020 [RELATED]

Hello All,

I have a 1999 V70 AWD XC wagon, with a light colored interior (the interior color code is 3960). Over the last few years, I have noticed that the vinyl covering on the door panel that surrounds the door release lever (driver's door), is "shrinking". What I mean by that, is there is plastic bezel around the door release lever. Over time the vinyl that surrounds this plastic bezel is "shrinking" and pulling back allowing the foam under-layer to be exposed. Initially, I would just "tuck" the plastic vinyl covering back under the edges of the plastic bezel. But again, over time, the vinyl cover would pull back from the plastic bezel that surround the door release lever, exposing the foam under-layer. This "shrinkage" seems to be related to door usage. Because the vinyl covering around the plastic bezel that surrounds the door release lever in the front passenger door is pristine.

Has anyone else experienced this condition? If so, what steps did you take to fix it? The way it looks right now is unsightly. I guess I could bring it to an auto upholstery shop to see if this can be fixed.

A similar condition, but not as bad exists with the rear passenger doors. There is a seam in the upper portion of the inside door panel, where the vinyl covering "pops out" of a seem. I am constantly running my finger along this seam pushing the vinyl cover back into place. Again, it seems as though this problem is due to the vinyl covering shrinking.

I would love to hear if anyone has resolved this problem successfully. Thank you to all who reply.

Hugh








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    The door panel covering at door release is shrinking! What to do? V70-XC70 1999

    posted by  KlausC on  Mon Aug 17 12:54 CST 2020
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    The vinyl isn't shrinking as much as the foam layer is decomposing and loosing its glue. There is no easy repair. A known problem for 1998-2000.

    Solutions? Yes, but nothing is cheap or easy. Removing the door panel and carefully cutting out the vinyl covered part from the rear side. Bringing it (them) to an upholstery shop to have the vinyl replaced is not cheap but better than any DIY solution. Of course, you would have to glue the panels back in yourself.

    If you see an "R" from 1998-2000 in a junk yard, grab all 4 door panels! No shrinkage with those.
    --
    Keeping it running is better than buying new








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      The door panel covering at door release is shrinking! What to do? V70-XC70 1999

      posted by  someone claiming to be Hugh on  Mon Aug 17 16:03 CST 2020 [RELATED]

      Klaus,

      Thank you for your reply. Great minds think alike. I say that because my private Volvo mechanic looked at it today, and he too said pretty much the same thing you did. This is a common problem with the Cross Country model of my vintage and there is nothing you can really do about it. I guess I will have to manage my expectations. Hey, my hairline isn't what used to be either. So it goes.

      If a R model ever presents itself to me, I'll look for those panels. I guess, I will just learn to live with my XC, "As Is".

      I have a pretty good auto upholstery shop I bring my Volvos to. I have had the seats on my three Volvo wagons redone (two 1996 850 wagons and the above referenced 1999 V70 AWD XC) and they did a pretty good job. When you get in the cars, the substitution of new leather is almost seamless. Maybe he can put a piece of trim over the exposed foam so it won't look so unsightly. Sure it won't match the passenger door, but I could live with it. If I am lucky in that regard, I will post the results on this forum.

      Again Klaus, thank you for your advice.

      Hugh







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.