I have a 1800 that I have been restoring and a also just bought a 122. I noticed that they both have asbestos pads glued to the metal. In the 122 I can see through a tear in the headliner that the asbestos has come unglued. I plan to take it out but I wonder if anyone has had these gems revomed from their vehicle. Also does anyone know what the rope like fibers are that are that composes the insulation by the pedals. (I assume it is standard, my car is stock).

Davy;

Don't urinate yourself and call the EPA! The Feds are already trying to illegalize old cars and don't need another reason. Even IF those pads contained asbestos fibers (and that's unconfirmed and doubtful), it's TOTALLY BOUND UP in tar, so the only way those sound deadening mats glued to the sheetmetal are going to hurt someone, is if you pull the pad off the rest of the way and beat them about the head and shoulders with it! It looks like the asbestos fearmongers have worked their idiocy on you. RELAX!, glue the pad back on with contact cement, and worry about the meteorite which is (most certainly) going to fall on your head!

Cheers,
Ron

I think it is more likely corrugated building felt (tarpaper) than
asbestos. To the best of my knowledge the only places asbestos was used
in Volvos included some of the gaskets and the brake and clutch linings.
The "rope like fiber" is probably either jute or coconut fiber. When the
windshield leaks it gets wet, becomes acid and corrodes through the floor
from the inside. Unless they are from a very dry climate, it is very
hard to find a 122 with good floors.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Coconut fiber? I never would have guessed. Then what's the white hairy stuff in the seat cushions? It's like velcro to the floor carpeting and, unless I've got a very strong vacuum, I generally have to pick it out by hand.

Dog hair? Cat hair??
On mine the foam padding was covered by thin gauze which degenerates
into fine white fibers but still doesn't quite fit your description.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Oklahoma

No, that sounds right. The hairs are a couple inches long and very fine. The carpet is deep enough that these little guys get way down in there and resist the vacuum with all the might they can muster.

- Justin

having done extensive rust repair on my 122 in almost all parts of the vehicle and I can confirm that that asbestos is definetly just a harmless little tar paper used for insulation and sound dampening (very ineffective, i might add). For a cheap and effective replacement idea, go out and buy the VERY BEST carpet padding you can find and cut to fit. Works great and is only $.50 per square foot. And yes, the fibrous insulation is a natural fiber. Nothing harmful on a 122 but lots (and lots) of rust.

Josh