I have a loose part under the top of the dash in the left corner area (from behind the wheel). Whatever part is loose it makes a noise as if it was pivoting and one end is not connected (speculating). It acts up big time on bumpy roads. I thought I would be able to look up from the floor and see what is going on but no luck unless I start taking things apart. To get in the suspect area I am wondering on the best approach. My Hanyes manual says how to take off the top of the dash and I'm willing to try this if someone confirms it is the only way. I was wondering if it is easier to take out the instrument panel to get access to the loose hardware. I've also got instructions on getting to the firewall bolts under the wipers if that may be may problem. I'd apprecate any suggestions on the best place to start. Perhaps others have had this noise problem and know the best fix. The car has a stick shift if that makes a difference. Thanks.

Thanks for the suggestions. The speaker was easy to check - all was well. I also tightened the 4 bolts around the wiper motor/limkages that support the dashboard and stuff some foam around the dash. No luck. However, if I put my hand on the dash and put some pressure down the noise stops. I found the post below and think it may do the job. I just don't know how to remove the plastic on the window supports. Does it just pull off? I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks, Greg






There is no need to remove the dash, that can just create new noises that you didn't have before. I resolved this problem a couple of years ago and I have shared my solution with other S/V70 owners who have had success too. Let's see if it can work for you.

The trick is to "chock" the dashboard in place. It's loose and needs to be firmly chocked or held down. The metal work of the car at the extreme left and right of the dashboard follows the shape of the dash plastic molding. However there is a small gap into which you can push a rubber wedge shaped "chock." (Imagine a small half inch wide door-stop). You can access this cavity by removing the plastic molding adjacent to the windshield pillar. If you can see the space I am describing, push a rubber chock into the cavity between the painted metal structure of the car and the top surface of the dashboard molding. The effect is to place a lot of pressure onto the top of the dashboard. That forces the dashboard down onto its mounting surface. In this condition the dash runs quiet in all temperatures and road surfaces.

You can also chock the sides of the dashboard plastics near to the front door frame. It all helps to stop the dash from moving on its mounts. At the sides I used rubber strips that I purchased at my local hardware store.

You may have to be creative to make the half inch rubber chocks described above. I made mine by gluing thin strips together to make a wedge shape.

Good luck and let me know if you have any luck with this repair.

Clive
San Diego

Taking out the cluster is a good idea but the problem is that you need to remove the dash pad (upper dash portion) to get to the cluster. So, you really need to remove the upper dash pad. You can try pulling out the dash speaker that goes in the left corner to see if it is something as simple as a speaker magnet that is dangling, past that you will need to pull the pad and have a look around. Make sure that you do not turn the key on while you have the pad out as it will set codes for the passenger side airbag which you will need to disconnect to get in there.

Mark

Mark mentioned the speaker magnet, but he didn't say how common that problem is. I would look into that first, as it's pretty easy to pull the dash tweeter grill: just pry it up with a credit card and pull. Then you can use a pen to press the push-pins in and release the speaker from the dash. Be careful when lifting the speaker out so that you don't drop the push-pins into the dash.

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Jim Rothe, '99 S70 T5M,
http://www.jimrothe.com/volvo/index.html