v70 luggage cover removal - am I a weakling?

[mikeyr]

So I thought I'd see how much you can get in the boot of "the tank" and I can't remove the luggage cover. I know they are supposed to be spring loaded but mine seems much too big to get out. It's got me wondering if it's an aftermarket one - anyone able to confirm this by looking at it?




The holders on either side seem to be held in with tiny torx screws so I can't even remove the whole unit!



Or am I being really thick, I've tried pulling the unit from one side to the other but with no success. How I wish I was the obligatory "powerfully built" male like most good pistonheaders!

[Super Slo Mo]

How old is the car? It looks like it's upside down (and then bolted on?), mine fits into little 'channels' either side of the back seats, those things on the end just pull in to make the whole thing narrower. Mine's an 02 model if that helps.

[mikeyr]

Ahh, mines a "classic" (1996). Would just unscrew it but the screws are tiny!

[Super Slo Mo]

I've been out and had another look at mine. It's a little different to yours, but you'd expect that given it's the later model.

Those screws look like they've been added by a previous owner, perhaps there are locating lugs that've broken off, and someone decided to screw the cover down rather than not have one at all. I've a torx spanner that'd work, although it's not much use to you unless you happen to live in North Staffordshire (if you do, you're welcome to borrow it). Machine Mart sell them if you're really bothered about getting them undone.

[morgrp]

Mines spring loaded from one side - left if I remember correctly - they have rubber bushings to stop rattles and squeaks they do taking some easing out

[mikeyr]

well, despite my best efforts it deffo won't budge... not able to get to the screws either as they are behind a solid part of plastic where a screwdriver won't fit!! such small screws that i'm wondering if they aren't little rivets? any bright ideas before i breakout the hacksaw

[Finlandia]

Those screws keep the rubber bushings in place. The luggage cover itself is spring loaded from both ends, it can sit very tight though. Yours looks exactly the same as my 1999 v70 and 1996 850 did.

[mikeyr]

thanks finlandia, so is it a case of that pulling the unit hard to one side so it pops out of the opposite retaining unit. thats how i understand it should work but even with two of us it won't seem to shift!

sounds pathetic i know but its ridiculously easy to do in our scooby wagon hence why i wonder if its seized up or if theres just a knack to it that two reasonably clever/strong adults just can't get their heads round.

still, on the plus side i've discovered a cargo net in the rear seats (sans pole sadly) and a neat built in booster cushion!!!

[Finlandia]

It is just a case of pressing one or both ends inwards so they pop out of the plastic panels on the side, but as said in an old car and if it hasn't been removed before, it can sit very tight.

The cargo net is two part, one for the single seat without a pole and one for the two seat with a retractable pole, the one seat net clips on to the pole when retracted. Don't really see why someone would have taken the pole out.

[Skellen]

I had this when I first had our v70 ('01 P2).

I spoke to the dealer and they do get stuck. The know way of removing is to very lightly spray the mechanism from the underside with wd40 and leave for an hour. Then take a broom handle a jam it into the seat gap and use as a lever to release / slide the retainer back. Careful with the side window!

Hope that helps.

[mikeyr]

Well that seems like sound advice - not sure what looks I'm going to get from the neighbours climbing into the boot of my car with a broom handle and some lubricant.

Will try it tonight. Listen for the sound of breaking glass followed by swearing.

[Skellen]

Let us know how it goes.

To add to your neighbours concerns, once it is free I was tipped to add / smear some vaseline around the retaining section of the side panel to help it come free in the future.....

[mikeyr]

Ok, well this is definitely my Ambwilans thread as I have tried to demonstrate with the use of some neatly drawn lines...

I thought the red part was a retaining unit which would remain attached to the car. So I'd been bravely struggling trying to pull the yellow part out of it! No broom handle required - just a reasonable IQ!


Oh, and as pointed out I'm not missing the cargo net pole, it is of course in the 2 seat unit.

Thanks for everyones help.

[goes off to hang my head in shame]

[Finlandia]

Glad it all worked out in the end

[Skellen]

Glad you got it sorted. Don't worry - I had a similar " senior moment " looking for the key lock in the tailgate the other day.....

[mikeyr]

One of those senile moments where you post it twice?

(said pot to ketttle)

[Skellen]

Trying to post from iphone on train in dodgy signal area.....

[mikeyr]

Well, I appreciated your help so thanks Skellen. Next job for the summer is to sort out the rattling boot trim (which jumps up and down when the wiper motor is on in an amusing fashion).

[heyhohum]

I have just bought a 1997 volvo 850 se and am new to this but as above, I cannot remover the luggage cover. The picture with the red and yellow lines look exactly as I thought it would be, but I do not understand what was done differently to remove it, without a broom handle...
Thanks

[Super Slo Mo]

Grab the red bit and move it towards the centre of the car. Same with the one on the left side.