Took the instrument cluster out of my '94 850 turbo to replace a bulb. Found a lot of cracked plastic on the center support. The whole dash on the drivers side is loose. Does anyone know where the "Golden Screw" is that would hold the dash to the firewall????? I've looked and looked but can't locate it (them?). I think thats why the supporting plastic has cracked.

Did the remote lock receiver antenna mod also (per Ozbrick). It helps a lot. FYI the receiver is on the right side of the govebox so I ran the antenna wire up and around the groove in the dash for the passenger airbag.

The bolts that mount the dash to the firewall are found under the plastic cowl cover below the windsheild, accesed from under the hood. There are four, about 6" long. You will probably have to unbolt and move the wiper transmission to access the two for the drivers side. The dash bolts have a 10mm head and are horizantal.

Thanks!!!!! Never would have found them on my own.

If you find you can't tighten the 4 bolts under the cowel, (10mm or torx) then like John O. mentioned the stand offs or screw clips have been over tightened in the past. I have repaired the stand-offs two ways, 1) sheet metal cut to go around the remains of the stand-off and pop-rivited in place. 2) A plastic welding kit using ABS rods worked very nice. Both repairs required the removal of the dash. This kind of repair is not standard Volvo repair so it might be hard to find a shop (dealer) that has a technician that has tried it. If you are going to have someone else do the repair try to get it done before the spring rush starts and business kicks up for the season, if the shop is busy they are more inclined to say they can't do it without replacing the entire dash.

Rich, as I'm sure you guessed, my standoffs are toast. How long does it take you to R&R the dash? I do all of my own work and just need an idea of how long to plan for the car being in pieces. I'll probably double you're estimate, what with doing it for the first time and all.

Steve

Sent you an E-mail, but for those following the thread, to take the dash out is 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The clips that go in the stand off is part number 9405590, you need 4.

Got your email. Thanks. I spent the day splicing, pop riveting, hotglueing, etc. etc. putting some of the structure back togeather. Attached a rubber iso mount to the left pillar and attached the dash to it with a couple of sheet metal doublers. Feels pretty solid. Volvo sure uses a LOT of plastic.

Soooo we're batting a thousand so far. Next question. The turbo says VOLVO on it. Who makes it and what kind of oil seals does it have? Air labyrinth or carbon seal??

....IF the dash has been previously removed for an Evap (for example), it's possible that one or more of the 4 plastic dash mounts that are needed to hold it in place are broken, I've seen that before.

See if it tightens up because if not, the whole dash needs to be removed to inspect further. Either a metal retaining clip is broken (the clip where the bolt threads into) or the plastic support tab is broken (usually means a new dash unless it can be improvised/"rigged" somehow).