Volvo Owners Club Forum - Fitted Genuine XC70 Towbar

A few weeks ago I managed to get my hands on a genuine Volvo detachable towbar complete with module, wiring and the keys for the tow ball. I got it from a breakers yard for £80 and I’m very pleased with it.

I fitted the tow bar myself, it took me longer than Volvo’s quoted 90 minutes but that’s because I decided to clean stuff as I went. It’s not the first time I’ve done one, and Volvo were kind enough to do the hard part and provide holes. Firstly I spent some time removing the rust off the tow bar unit and then painted it with two coats of rust inhibiting primer, two grey primer then three coats of satin black. I also removed the electrics plug to clean that up and then whilst it was all drying under the heater I began dismantling the rear bumper.

Volvo say to jack the car and remove rear wheels, but I parked the car facing downwards on my driveway and kept the overhang accessible. To remove the torx screws on the rear wheel arches I used a special tool I picked up years ago somewhere. What’s special is that it allows you to fit a bit into it then use your fingers to ratchet, so that’s why I didn’t remove the rear wheels. My car spent its life in rural Hertfordshire, and when I pulled the bumper off most of it was behind there. After cleaning it all up, I spent time removing rust from the rear chassis area then painted that.

Volvo also say you’re to remove the exhaust and let it dangle to fit the tow bar, or with twin pipes remove it completely. This is to allow you access to the areas of the chassis hidden by the heat shields, but because I’ve only got one exhaust I could dangle it. Well actually I didn’t, I took one look at the front flange and it had world of troubles written all over it. So I dropped the back off and worked through the gap. I was able to work in there with my ratchet device and then was able to torque up using a 3/8 torque wrench, a universal joint and an extension bar. The non exhaust side was easy in comparison.

After this I routed the wires through the hole already provided by Volvo and placed them in their approximate places. I’m not connecting up just yet as the I’ll likely need the software and the light was already fading. Then I had to cut out the hole on the bumper, the part I always dread. You need to separate the silver section from the black and cut separately. The shape to cut out is on both pieces and I used a coping saw, a hacksaw blade and a rounded file to get the profiles right. Once clipped back together I was able to pop onto the car and everything looked great.

I’m pleased with this item, I’ll need a new tow bar cover at some point because the scrapper cracked this one on removal but overall it looks good.