740 upholstery work

[Doocey]

Hi everyone! Recently bought a 1988 740 for myself. Im only young and and trying to get the hang of car ownership! In short, the car needs some repair work to the interior cloth, it seems at the slightest touch it rips. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!!!

[griston64]

Originally Posted by Doocey

Hi everyone! Recently bought a 1988 740 for myself. Im only young and and trying to get the hang of car ownership! In short, the car needs some repair work to the interior cloth, it seems at the slightest touch it rips. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!!!

Get a second hand leather set and bung them in

[Doocey]

Thanks for the reply, think I will do that. Any ideas on how I could deal with roof tears?

[griston64]

Originally Posted by Doocey

Thanks for the reply, think I will do that. Any ideas on how I could deal with roof tears?

Again you may be better getting a headlining from a breaker and fitting that. I'm fairly certain a 940 headlining will fit so you should be able to find one of them.

Luke ( 360 Beast ) is breaking a couple at the moment

[griston64]

Like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-940...temCondition=4

[bob12]

Indeed, the way to go for a Bedouin tent style 740 headliner is to get one from a 940 as they are not afflicted with the same age related degradation problem of glue and foam sandwich as 740's.

Removal and refitting is a little more difficult if your car is a 744 saloon. On the 745 you can withdraw the headliner via the tailgate which makes life far simpler. It's a fairly simple job but time consuming removing all the trim surround back, front and sides.

As shown in the attached pics I replaced the headliner on my 745 with one in pristine condition from a '94 940 Celebration which cost me £30 some years ago now.

Beware the headliner back board is extremely fragile. It will bend easily and snap if over stressed. It is best if you can remove the old headliner and then collect the replacement and fit temporarily to take home. Really a two man(or woman) job.

The only problem I experienced fitting the replacement headliner was a slight design change in that the position of the front two roof securing twist fittings had been moved slightly inwards. That necessitated making up a couple of new metal brackets and super gluing them to the steel of the roof.

You will find a useful pdf guide on the American parts supplier, IPD's, website.

Best of luck,

Bob

[360beast]

Has yours got a sunroof? I've got a non sunroof headlining here that's in good condition.

[Doocey]

Originally Posted by 360beast

Has yours got a sunroof? I've got a non sunroof headlining here that's in good condition.

Yes mine has the sunroof which makes it all the more difficult!

[Doocey]

Originally Posted by bob12

Indeed, the way to go for a Bedouin tent style 740 headliner is to get one from a 940 as they are not afflicted with the same age related degradation problem of glue and foam sandwich as 740's.

Removal and refitting is a little more difficult if your car is a 744 saloon. On the 745 you can withdraw the headliner via the tailgate which makes life far simpler. It's a fairly simple job but time consuming removing all the trim surround back, front and sides.

As shown in the attached pics I replaced the headliner on my 745 with one in pristine condition from a '94 940 Celebration which cost me £30 some years ago now.

Beware the headliner back board is extremely fragile. It will bend easily and snap if over stressed. It is best if you can remove the old headliner and then collect the replacement and fit temporarily to take home. Really a two man(or woman) job.

The only problem I experienced fitting the replacement headliner was a slight design change in that the position of the front two roof securing twist fittings had been moved slightly inwards. That necessitated making up a couple of new metal brackets and super gluing them to the steel of the roof.

You will find a useful pdf guide on the American parts supplier, IPD's, website.

Best of luck,

Bob

Wow looks great! My concern is the sunroof being a pain. That combined with the fact I'm pretty new to cars so I may have to find an upholstery company. I don't suppose you've heard of any who can help? Thanks for your help

Dan

[bob12]

Am I to assume you have the 745 estate or is it a saloon, Dan?

In fact before I swapped mine some years ago now I sniffed around locally and found a firm that would refurbish the existing backboard with new material. The trouble was it would cost £300 or so and you can't really get suitable comparable material to reline the headliner (or you couldn't then).

The only realistic sensible priced option was one from a 940. I don't think if you took your time that the hole for the sunroof is much of a problem. I am sure that the IPD site has some pics etc of the sunroof version.

When you take out the headliner you can also check that the drains for the sunroof are clear as they do tend to block with age.

Bob