18 replies to this topic

[foxtrapper]

My V70 has the typical creaky dash. Since my wife usually drives it, I can ignore it. But, I had the car last week and it about drove me nuts. So I started spending time studying it, trying to figure out what parts were creaking and why. In the process of chasing the creaks around I accidentally discovered that if I shove my finger tips in the gap between the windshield and the dash it gets silent. Surely it can't be this simple....

But it was. I took some black hardware store foam weatherstripping and stuffed it into that gap. It pushes out on the dashboard just like my fingertips were. NO MORE CREAKING!

Cheap, low-tech and effective, at least for my creaky dashboard.

[cn90]

foxtrapper, on 23 October 2009 - 06:23 PM, said:

My V70 has the typical creaky dash. Since my wife usually drives it, I can ignore it. But, I had the car last week and it about drove me nuts. So I started spending time studying it, trying to figure out what parts were creaking and why. In the process of chasing the creaks around I accidentally discovered that if I shove my finger tips in the gap between the windshield and the dash it gets silent. Surely it can't be this simple....

But it was. I took some black hardware store foam weatherstripping and stuffed it into that gap. It pushes out on the dashboard just like my fingertips were. NO MORE CREAKING!

Cheap, low-tech and effective, at least for my creaky dashboard.

Wow,

I have the same noise and will try this trick!

Thanks!

[VolvoRine]

Would this work on an 850 creaky dash???

[Iloveboost]

940_turbo_wagon, on 23 October 2009 - 08:33 PM, said:

Would this work on an 850 creaky dash???

shove a wad of paper in and give it a try. then do it nice if it works and let us 850 guys know.

[dongle]

You lazy bastards are turning VS into TB

[JordanW]

ya bought yourself time. in a matter of time, you'll have weather stripping up along and inbetween the dash and windshield and a-pillar, and every where else.

This is the right fix.... Yes, it is a chore, but it LASTS

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php/topic/68951-dash-removal-writeup/

[MyCarIsRed]

there are 4 bolts under the cowling as well. Mine had wiggled loose a bit. Check those.


If it's loose, jamming something in there will only make it get worse.

[Jaxx]

serge said that there were like 4(maybe 2?) screws under the hood that held the dash on, he said when he tightened them around 80% of the squeaks/rattles/creaks went away. I didn't look into it much though, not sure exactly where they are, but it's something to look into before shoving your fingers into your dash....

[smokin' T5M]

dongle, on 23 October 2009 - 09:31 PM, said:

You lazy bastards are turning VS into TB

JordanW, on 23 October 2009 - 10:32 PM, said:

ya bought yourself time. in a matter of time, you'll have weather stripping up along and inbetween the dash and windshield and a-pillar, and every where else.

This is the right fix.... Yes, it is a chore, but it LASTS

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php/topic/68951-dash-removal-writeup/

You can try to tighten the 4 dash bolts under the wiper panel, be gentle cause it sounds like the plastic retainers are already getting weak. No matter, soon there won't be enough foam or paper to wedge in the seams to stop the dash from bouncing around. Check out the link JordanW posted so you can be prepared

[T5power]

smokin' T5M, on 24 October 2009 - 12:53 PM, said:

You can try to tighten the 4 dash bolts under the wiper panel, be gentle cause it sounds like the plastic retainers are already getting weak. No matter, soon there won't be enough foam or paper to wedge in the seams to stop the dash from bouncing around. Check out the link JordanW posted so you can be prepared

yeah if you tighten the bolts too tight the next bump you hit you're going to hear a big POP!!! that's when you have to take out the whole lower dash to repair and re-install those crappy originally designed retaining tabs, and reinforce them with metal. and then manage to re-install the whole lower dash. ask me how i know

[JordanW]

The ultimate fix is a project, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was. Have plenty of work space, KNOW you will have to fab some new tabs. Hit the cracks underneath with some expoy. Do some detailing, replace some burnt out bulbs... BAM, done, quiet, clean...

[MrWinkey]

I saw this when first posted....and sighed.......
Pull the cowl and snug the bolts as stated numerous times...just snug not 1/2" breaker bar tight

[Black Betty]

It takes me an hour and a half to get the dash out by myself 30minutes if I have a helper its not that hard of a job. If you can remove 30 bolts you can do it lol. The only hard part is removing one of the torx to the steering cover you need a very long but thin extension....thats seriously the most difficult part

[MyCarIsRed]

Black Betty, on 25 October 2009 - 02:49 AM, said:

It takes me an hour and a half to get the dash out by myself 30minutes if I have a helper its not that hard of a job. If you can remove 30 bolts you can do it lol. The only hard part is removing one of the torx to the steering cover you need a very long but thin extension....thats seriously the most difficult part

yeah but how long did it take the first time? I can swap a blower in about 20 minutes now, but it took an hour the first time.

Nothing makes you feel as stupid as reinstalling a bad part you just removed...

[Black Betty]

MyCarIsRed, on 25 October 2009 - 04:45 AM, said:

yeah but how long did it take the first time? I can swap a blower in about 20 minutes now, but it took an hour the first time.

Nothing makes you feel as stupid as reinstalling a bad part you just removed...

Basically all you do is remove the dash pad then remove 6 bolts. Two in the cabin 4 in the engine, opps forgot you need to remove the cowl cover to get to the last 4 bolts, still its like 14 bolts. The first time i took out the two bolts in the cabin and tried to remove it. Then I reconsulted the haynes manual and removed the 4 under the hood . A hayne's manual is a must even with Vs its easy to consult and find out that last step you missed

For example removing the heater core today I had removed all but one bolt and could not get it out (obviously) reconsulted the haynes manual and found the last hidden bolt. I got mine for 10 on ebay and I always use it. Once you work on these cars for a little you tend to pick up on how everything works and even if you haven't removed something before you generally can figure it out.

[foxtrapper]

I put in a bit of foam weatherstripping. I didn't hammer in wooden wedges. I didn't promise a lifetime cure.

I shut up my creaking dash with a bit of foam weatherstripping. Nothing more.

[Serge]

Jaxx, on 24 October 2009 - 06:20 AM, said:

serge said that there were like 4(maybe 2?) screws under the hood that held the dash on, he said when he tightened them around 80% of the squeaks/rattles/creaks went away. I didn't look into it much though, not sure exactly where they are, but it's something to look into before shoving your fingers into your dash....

Yep, 4 screws that hold the dash to the firewall. Tightening them helps get rid of A LOT of noise. Be careful not to over-tighten as you may break the attachment points on the actual dash, fixing it is no fun.

I also tried the wedge method before, and it works VERY well, but it puts unnecessary stress on the windshield and dash itself. Other parts will begin to make noise eventually. My dash developed a nasty new sound that I am having to remove the dash for the 3rd time to remedy. Very annoying.

Best of luck in your dash noise reduction endeavors!

Black Betty, on 25 October 2009 - 02:49 AM, said:

It takes me an hour and a half to get the dash out by myself 30minutes if I have a helper its not that hard of a job. If you can remove 30 bolts you can do it lol. The only hard part is removing one of the torx to the steering cover you need a very long but thin extension....thats seriously the most difficult part

Use the torx that's included in the stock tool kit, It's long and narrow, you can then use a pair of pliers to grab onto the little wings that the handle sits on.

[BananaRep]

Do the S60/V70s also have the problem with the dash, with the tabs braking?