Volvo 740 - headliner

Ok, my headliner is sagging in the back. I do not want to replace the
whole thing because the rest of the liner is fine, except for some
staining. Can I just fix the sagging in the back with some adhesive? If
so, how do I fix it and what adhesive should I use? In addition is
there a way to dye the headliner or clean it, while it is still up
there? Mine is very stained it looks like the previous owner threw
their drink up there!

 

An old story, to be sure. Adhesive won't do it, because the layer that is
crumbling will continue to crumble. I tried it on a Dodge once....

Judicious use of straight pins, believe it or not, seems to be the best
alternative to replacing the headliner. Replacement is also a notorious
job - don't try it without consulting those who have (I have not.)

Mike

 

You could try stapling it, it's only gonna get worse though, once the
foam started to deteriorate on mine the rest let go fairly quickly.

 

I have an 87 740 Sedan that looked like an atomic bomb exploded inside
and blew the roof out.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jamiebabineaux/detail?.dir=fed5re2&.dnm=2bf2re2.jpg&.src=ph

Then I took out the headliner board,

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jamiebabineaux/detail?.dir=fed5re2&.dnm=ee75re2.jpg&.src=ph

reinforced it with fibreglass and epoxy,

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jamiebabineaux/detail?.dir=81b3&.dnm=e773.jpg&.src=ph

installed a completely new headliner, with adhesive for about $40 USD,

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jamiebabineaux/detail?.dir=81b3&.dnm=9cc5.jpg&.src=ph

put the whole thing back and:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jamiebabineaux/detail?.dir=fed5re2&.dnm=321ere2.jpg&.src=ph

The trick is getting the board out of the car. If you break it, buy a
fibreglass repair kit, repair it, and you're good to go!

 

I bought a 1990 740 GL that had a large area over the (rear)
passengers' heads pulled down.

After realizing that the deterioration of the foam precluded use of
adhesive and also realizing the pain associated with replacing the
headliner, I opted for the following:

I got some brass colored upholstery tacks. Not too long with large
domed heads. (Depending on the length, you might have to snip a bit
off. Even without a point, they'll stick in if you push them.)

Starting in front of the hanging part on material that remains
attached, I pushed the tacks through the fabric and into the foam.
This is to prevent future drop of the fabric.

Working toward the rear, push in tacks at regular intervals while
carefully holding the fabric up.

By experience, you can decide the spacing. The ability of the tacks to
remain stuck in the deteriorating foam is a little iffy, so it takes
quite a few.

Put extra tacks along the rear window gasket. They seem to stick
better in this area.

Finally tuck the fabric under the window gasket with a putty knife.

Ain't pretty but it works. Certainly can't see it from outside as you
pass those SUV's and shiny cars with $$$car payments attached.

Caveat: I have not driven at moderate speed with all the windows open
so I can't predict what will happen. I do suspect it will hold.

jimB

Yankee Creedo:

Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

 

http://www.ipdusa.com/pdf/PI-240headliner700.pdf

 

Better still use the headlining complete from a 900 series equivalent model.

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper,
Volvo Owners Club (UK).

 

That works on a wagon, as I recall the rear window is positioned
slightly differently on a 940 sedan though but I could be wrong.

 

Replace it as the foam is history ,here it cost me $AU 275.00 to replace it
completely which is the only way .The foam crumbles and the lining lets go
as its attached to the foam .

 

The bodyshape should be exactly the same. Source is Green Book dealing with
bodywork (metal and glass).

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper,
Volvo Owners Club (UK).

 

I am looking for anyone who can physically locate the reverse switch (back
up light switch) on a 4 speed manual transmission (5 speed push button)

I have a replacement switch but can not find the location on the
transmission. do you service from the top or the bottom?

Thank you
Ken

 

Have you tried the rear top left of the box?

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper,
Volvo Owners Club (UK).

 

On the top of the transmission cover there a 2 switches, one accessible
from each side. One has 2 wires, that's for your reverse lights. The
one with one wire is the 4th gear switch, so the overdrive will only
work in 4th gear. They're easier to access if you remove the
transmission cross member and allow the transmission to sag down a
little. I think the reverse light switch is on the left side.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)