Hello All,

I have a 1996 850 GLT wagon which I purchased new that has 350,000 miles on the odometer. Several months ago, I noticed a loud and annoying squeak that was coming from the lock that secures the seat back on the rear passenger seat on the passenger side. I examined the lock and noticed there was a red colored rigid foam that was contoured to wrap the catch when you went to push the seat back into the up position. This rigid foam had over time dried out and began to crack and break off, so it no longer provided a "tight fit" around the catch, hence the "rattling squeak" I heard as I drove down the road. This seat lock can be replaced and is available still from Volvo. I have tried to eliminate this squeak by placing adhesive strips of foam instill the opening of the lock located inside the back of the seat. It works for a while, but then the foam become compressed or is dislodged and I hear the squeak again.

I have shown this problem to my independent mechanic. He said the lock can be replaced, but there is a possibility some of the plastic pieces that cover the lock, which are brittle due to age, may brake off when he removes them to gain access to the old lock. He said I may be able to get replacement plastic pieces, but due the the age of the surrounding plastic, they probably will not match in color.

Before I order the new lock and risk this possible "collateral damage", has anyone else faced this problem and successfully dealt with it without the replacement of the seat lock? I have an identical 1996 wagon with just under 300,000 so I suspect I will face this problem again sometime in the future.

Thanks to all who reply.

Hugh

Put as little white grease on the latch where it is shiny - this should last 6 months or so.

You are lucky, my '90 855R started squeaking at 70k or so.

James,

Great minds think a like. I tried that too, and it did work for a while. In fact a couple of times. I'm afraid however the white grease may have caused the remnants of the red colored molded foam in the lock mechanism to break down even faster. The gap between the foam and the metal striker/catch it secures is so great that it is beyond the effect of white grease. I'm starting to lean to biting the bullet and purchasing a replacement lock and hope none of the plastic parts that fit over it self-destruct in the process of being replaced. In a way I should be thankful this part is still available. Getting a used one from a junkyard would be no bargain because it would be close if not older than the lock mechanism it is replacing.

There is a saying that "misery loves company" and I am glad I am not alone in suffering this interminable squeaking noise. This noise did not develop on my '96 850 until north of 300K mark on the odometer. I guess this is one of the challenges of driving an 18 year old car.

James thank you for your suggestion. What ever happens in the end, I'll post the results so other may benefit from my experience.

Hugh

sounds like a frustrating problem. Have you ever used plasti dip (lowes) it comes in a can and you can paint or dip metal parts in it and it coats them with a nice plastic/rubber finish. Just wondering if you could paint or coat the old degraded part and this new surface might stop the squeak...

dg,

Thank you for your reply and suggestion. I've never heard of the product "Plasti Dip" but I'll look for it at Lowes. If it works, it is an inexpensive alternative to replacing the lock.

Hugh