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