New To Volvos

[Steve 940]

Hi all,
After driving for almost 40 years I'm now on my first ever Volvo!! picked up at the weekend a 1994 940 2.0'turbo Wentworth estate with 70k verified miles under its wheels, and have a few queries, hopefully this is the right place to post?.
Since getting it have almost knocked myself out more than once by hitting head on open tailgate!! Hinges look to have a bit more room to open but seems the gas struts limit opening further, has anyone put on slightly longer gas struts to open tailgate a bit higher??? If so any part number would help, or overall length/stroke length?
Tailgate trim panel on lower edge, has a missing 1/4 turn plastic fixing, but can't find anywhere, lots of repair kits where the fixing hole has broken, but not the actual fixings?
Under dash panel above drivers shins has a lonely looking vacant hole near the bonnet release, any ideas what this should have in, can't see anything in handbook.

[360beast]

It took you 40 years to get the best car ever made

At 70k miles it is still in the running in period too

I'm not sure on the tailgate struts length etc but potentially they're weak and not opening/holding open the tailgate to its full extent.

I should have a clip for the tailgate trim.

The one in the under dash panel is usually missing for some reason, I believe it is a square fir tree clip or atleast that was what was fitted to the only one I've ever seen with something there!

[Laird Scooby]

Welcome aboard! When tailgate struts go, they seem to limit the movement of the tailgate so a new pair should sort that. Make sure you fit them the right way up, the end of the strut body goes to the tailgate, the piston of the strut goes to the body - usually there are clips on each end that you just lift away from the ball socket then slide out. Other clips are like cuffs that live in two grooves on the ball socket, need pushing out with a screwdriver to release the ends.

With the cuff type ends, if the new struts have the cuffs, leave them on andline up the ball socket with the ball and then tap it with a rubber/wooden mallet or the palm of your hand to seat it.

[griston64]

Originally Posted by 360beast

It took you 40 years to get the best car ever made

At 70k miles it is still in the running in period too

I'm not sure on the tailgate struts length etc but potentially they're weak and not opening/holding open the tailgate to its full extent.

I should have a clip for the tailgate trim.

The one in the under dash panel is usually missing for some reason, I believe it is a square fir tree clip or atleast that was what was fitted to the only one I've ever seen with something there!

This one Luke https://www.skandix.de/en/spare-part...board/1044204/

[360beast]

Originally Posted by griston64

This one Luke https://www.skandix.de/en/spare-part...board/1044204/

That's the one! I didn't realise it was bent to begin with, that's what made me doubt it was the right one as it was bent, I've saved it so I'll fit it to my 940

[TonyS9]

I've never seen the gas struts limit the travel when faulty, normally just weak and you can push them up the rest, possibly the wrong ones have been fitted. I make it 6ft standing space under the plastic corner at the bottom of the tailgate (and mine is lowered), the struts are over 22" long when extended.

[Steve 940]

Thanks for the helpful responses, and I just want to respond to points made:-

TonyS9 - I think you may have nailed my tailgate issue, just measured and ground to lower edge of tailgate lock plate is only 64" and gas struts only 20"!! Seems must have been replaced over the last 27 years with a incorrect ones.

Any idea how to find original spec Volvo part number so I can get correct struts please?.

360beast - the under dash panel issue, yes I have a crushed Christmas tree type of fitting that I have managed to reshape so panel is now held in correctly, the hole I'm referring to is around 30-40mm diameter with a notch at the top, also in a slight recess in the panel like a switch or something is missing, will pm you about this and your kind mention of a boot trim clip.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Any idea how to find original spec Volvo part number so I can get correct struts please?.

Try https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vol...60-v90-9463056

When you get to Checkout, select the service that is Customs/Duty paid and you should have them fairly quickly. Mine (albeit a few years ago now) came in about 2-3 days, faster than other things i'd ordered via ebay from UK sellers!

[360beast]

https://www.partsforvolvosonline.com...4ea148c04662e1

[360beast]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Thanks for the helpful responses, and I just want to respond to points made:-

TonyS9 - I think you may have nailed my tailgate issue, just measured and ground to lower edge of tailgate lock plate is only 64" and gas struts only 20"!! Seems must have been replaced over the last 27 years with a incorrect ones.

Any idea how to find original spec Volvo part number so I can get correct struts please?.

360beast - the under dash panel issue, yes I have a crushed Christmas tree type of fitting that I have managed to reshape so panel is now held in correctly, the hole I'm referring to is around 30-40mm diameter with a notch at the top, also in a slight recess in the panel like a switch or something is missing, will pm you about this and your kind mention of a boot trim clip.

That could be a replacement under panel that has been removed from a very early car with the air vent that blows on the drivers legs