I am curious as to whether anyone else has had this similar problem with their 1998 S70 Volvo...the leather is coming unglued on the door panel, where the handle to close the door is located. If you have had this problem, is it self repairable by purchasing the $69 kits from Volvo, or is it going to cost $500 to repair? Volvo has told me that it's a pain to repair, or are they just trying to obtain my business? It's a shame this isn't a recall, b/c at 69K miles and a mint condition car, I wouldn't expect this to happen.

Scottandticia,

It's vinyl--not leather. And it was a common problem for that year. Volvo will courteously tell you that you are SOL.

The repair kit should only cost @$50.00US.

The kit requires some experience and patience to install with satisfactory results. Be advised that it is NOT the quality of othe original insert as it does not have the 1/4 inch foam backing. It will look cheap. You can either 1.) order a new panel for @$400.00US or 2.) repair it yourself as I have done.

To repair it yourself you'll need a upholstery adhesive that will not dissolve the foam (go to an upholstery supply). Then pull away the vinyl until it is only held in by the swithch assembly. Apply the adhesive THINLY and EVENLY and working from the assy to the edges of the panel, press the material in place. The key to making the repair invisible is using VERY LITTLE ADHESIVE !! Any globs or thick spots will be all too apparent after the vinyl is in place.

Let me know if you need more info or assistance.

Bryan

Bryan,
I would be interested in more info on how you fixed this problem yourself. I have thought about trying this myself. It seems like vinyl must be stretched to conform to the shape of the door panel. I say this because one of mine is almost completely separated and it is actualy fairly taught (sp). It seems like it might be tough to re-stretch it to make it conform again. Did you have trouble with this? I saw a spray on type upholstery adhesive on the net and thought i would try that in order to get a thin, even layer. Whatever I do can't look that much worse than it does now. Of all of the disappointments with my Volvo (and there have been many), Volvo's refusal to stand behind this quality problem is my biggest disappointment with this car. They even acknowledge the use of inferior adhesive. I refuse to line their pockets by purchasing over-priced replacement panels. My car is an embarrassment when I drive other people in it.
Thanks,

Jeff Eschenbach
'98 XC

Jeff,

I used a spray adhesive. Gold lable--have to get back to you on the name. The instructions require you to apply it to both surfaces (foam & vinyl) for a permanent fix.

If you pull away the vinyl you'll see that there is @1/4in. that tucks into the channel which surrounds the insert, except for the front doors where it is also held under the speaker grille. If you work from the switch (& speaker grille) to the edges of the insert, you mate the vinyl to the foam securely. Note that the foam adheres to the fibre board like there's no tomorrow. DO NOT CUT the vinyl and attempt to insert the glue under the loose area. You are absolutely correct--the taughtness of the vinyl will make the cut very obvious.

Actually, that's how I ruined one panel and learned to do this. So, the best prices for replacements are Swedish Engineering, if you don't want to undertake the repair.

I was pissed at Volvo for not standing behind their product. But, when you think about what a bargain these cars really are, I guess that I can toss a few bucks back into the pot.

In addition to my "real job" I've learned to upholster, identify 1001 automotive uses for superglue & epoxy, and find the location of virtually every fastener which will cause a rattle, squeak or groan when loose.

My suggestion to replace "Volvo, for Life" is: "Volvo, more than a car. A career."

Best of luck

Bryan

As noted below, Volvo had rebuilt leatherette panels available at one point, exchanged on a core. They were actually "perfect" replacements. I can't imagine why Volvo stopped doing this. Or maybe I can.

I'd suggest buying the kit and farming out the repair to an automotive upholstery shop, since the skills for completing an engine swap (they don't actually rebuild B5234Ts in the back of your dealer's service department, that's usually done in a plant in Sweden) and doing upholstery work are not quite the same.

Its a very common problem. I suspect dealers hate applying the kits
since it takes a lot of skill. When this first surfaced a couple years
ago Volvo swapped out the door panel (I think they then sent them off
to one site that then did the repair); now, the dealers have to do it.
You will want a dealer who is very experienced with this since getting
a nice job is difficult.

May I ask where you live? I'm wondering if climate (heat) has an
affect on this. I have a 98 S70 and so far, no problems. I'm in the
San Francisco Bay Area with a moderate climate.

Thanks.

It's called delamination and it is a WELL known Volvo "quirk". my 2002 V70 had delamination at the ripe old age of 3 months ! dealer replaced entire door trim panel under warranty. please search the archives on this topic and then you can decide what is the best possible course of action.

good luck, and a word of advice, don't attempt to repair it yourself because you probably won't be too happy with the results.
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You will never leave where you are until you decide where you would rather be - 2002 V70 stk, /w /tinted windows