As so many of you know, Volvo used an experimental glue on some 960s. It worked well in the cool environment of Europe but not in the heat of the US. The door lining just under the windows on all four doors has come loose due to this experimental glue. Yesterday I took it to a trim shop to get an estimate on repairing it. He said he could not repair the existing vinyl material due to the fact that it will try to pull back to the original position. I asked if he could just completely recover the upper door with new material. He said he could but that it would have small seams at the corners which I feel would still look better than what I have now. The seams will not be very noticeable and not at all when the doors are closed. He quoted me $600.00 for all four doors. I think this is very resonable compared to volvo replacement doors at $400.00 each. Just wanted to let you know that you should talk with your local trim shop if you want to fix your doors.

Regards,

Jim

What makes you think the glue/vinyl combination worked better in Europe? It's virtually impossible to find a 1995 960 with undamaged lining here (Sweden) - direct sun creates the problem whereever on earth you put the car.

One thing of particular interest would be at what time the process was corrected and the materials used ok. Used car guides often mention 1995 as troublesome models but I've seen lots of later cars with this problem.

/Martin
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'65 121, '73 165

You can count my 1997 V90 among those with wrinkled skins.
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John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 92K; 92 965 @ 106K

My 1997 960 has the same problem. I called my dealer today and they will exchange my fronts as a pair for ~$250. Not bad.

Sorry to hear you have the same problem in Sweden. The local volvo dealer told me they had the problem in the S70s as well. I guess it took volvo some time to figure out they had a defective glue....like 3 or 4 years.

Jim

Well, today I ordered my new(recovered) door panels from Volvo for all 4 doors. The total price not including tax or core charge is under $400.00. There is a $500.00 core charge refundable when you turn in your old doors. I should have them next wednesday and will post the results here. Can't wait to have normal doors!!!!!!!!

Jim

I just ordered two front door panels via the exchange program. Thank God for brickboard.com! I asked if the new panels included the elec. switches, handles, grille, etc. and I was told by Volvo they only include the core panel and that I need to remove everything before exchanging. If anyone knows exactly what I need to 'unhook' that would be a great help. I don't want to drive all the way down to the dealership to find out I have more work to do!

Thanks again!

I can anwser this question for you next Tuesday when I remove my door panels to exchange with the dealer. If you want, email me at jimweintraub@hotmail.com and I can pass along my phone number if you want to discuss this live.

Jim

This is encouraging news. Does anyone have any tips on removing the panels from the doors? thanks

700/900 FAQ section on this sight has step-by-step instructions...

Let me correct my own posting. I remember reading on this forum a few weeks ago that the Volvo repair kit for these doors was around $800/pair. I just called my local Volvo dealer to double check this price before I take the car to the trim shop, and he said that Volvo has an exchange program for these doors. You get recovered door panels and give back your door panels. Its an exchange program that cost just over $800 for all four doors including parts and labor. If you can do the swap yourself like me, the cost is only $520.00 for all four doors. That's $520.00 for four perfect door panels!!!!!!! Can't beat that!!!! I'm ordering my replacement panels today from Volvo.

Regards,

Jim

Yes, I posted this information in another thread. There is a core charge, but recovered when you exchange the panels. It's been a few months, but my dealer quoted $225/pair for rears and $175/pair for fronts...do it yourself. Obviously with these prices, they have some guilt associated with this experiment.
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John Shatzer, 97 V90 @ 90K; 92 965 @ 106e

could you please let me know who you were talking to at volvo. i'd like to know if they have a similar program for the 780.

also, 940s are prone to the glue giving way. fortunately only the rear door on the drivers side did this to me.
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'88 745T, '89 780T, '93 944T, '98 S70T5

I just contacted my local Volvo dealer parts department. He was the one who informed me of the volvo exchange program.

Jim

Actually, there is a place in Texas (the name escapes me at the moment) that will repair your door panels for like $100 each. You ship them the panels, and in like three weeks, they ship them back. If you can live without your door panels for three weeks, it sounds like a good deal to me.

If anyone needs the name of the place, I can look it up later. Just let me know.