v70 headlight reflector repair

[amazondean]

Are the inner plastic chrome reflectors inside the headlights either available or repairable at a reasonable cost. I have genuine Volvo headlights on my xc that have faded chrome reflectors inside the headlight.

I don't want to replace the units with copies if I can help it. I do have a spare copy that I tried to swap the inner chrome with but they don't quite fit the volvo unit. Just wandering if anyone out there has any ideas!

[DaveNP]

There's a few threads if you select the 850/70 section and use the 'Search this Forum' at the top right of the 'Threads in Forum: 850...' section, I used the words - headlight reflector - other words may bring up more results.
I do watch out a bit for headlight threads as mine are getting bad and as far as I've seen;
if Volvo still do them you have to buy complete units for more than the price of the car;
you can get an 'Aftermarket' one from the likes of PFS (currently £82.50 each for RHD);
you can find a plating company to replate the reflector but bear in mind it is a plastic body so not a simple job;
you can get some 'sticky back plastic' silver/chrome and pull them apart and do it yourself with variable results;
secondhand units probably are not worth it as they will be degraded just like everyone else.

[Clogs]

Refurbishment or replacement with new depends on how long you plan to keep the car. Fading headlights are an MoT failure.

Plenty of stuff in this forum on refurbs.. but all seem a lot of faff. If you have the money and plan to keep your car another 10 years, just buy new headlamps. If you have motors to dip them, they are more expensive, but take care that you get the right ones as many online sales may well exclude them, so no fitting for your motor from your old headlight in a new one

In Jan 2017 I paid just under £400 for a pair with motors and bulbs genuine Volvo parts. The light output literally doubled.

[jack taylor]

Hi, I have a 1998 V70 and the headlight reflectors simply faded. I purchased a new pair of h/lights from Autodoc for about €90.00. Not OEM but from a reputable German manufacturer. They came without the levelling motors but it takes only a few minutes to swap the motors over from your original h/lights.
My lights are for LHD but the lenses are interchangeable so you just swap the LHD lenses for your original RHD lenses. Should you want new lenses they are on ebay. uk quite cheaply but it doesn't take long to clean and polish your old lenses.

[amazondean]

In the end I acquired a pair of aftermarket units and swapped the glass lenses for the original volvo ones. I almost managed to swap the inner reflector to fit and work in the volvo units, but couldn't be sure it would adjust properly in the future. I think I could have managed it if I was prepared to put more time into it. Anyway, thanks for the advice.

[Cookeh]

As an after thought, prices for metallising reflectors to restore them seems to start at around £125 from the quotes I've been getting over the past few weeks. Price goes up the more wear and dirt that is present, with the increase equating to an extra £30 per hour of work required. Most places do not offer a formal guarantee and courier services do not offer insurances on these items.

Based on that, I think your approach is the most sensible one, Dean. Buy aftermarket and either fit the reflectors into the Volvo units or transfer the Volvo glass.