V70 headlamp reflectors peeling.

[Joe landy]

Hello all,
I have a 1997 V70 which has covered more than it's fair share of miles, but
is now suffering from Peeling headlamp reflectors which cause an unguided
shower of light onto oncoming traffic.
I have checked that there are no leaks in the headlamp lense seals, and
there is no other sign of water in the headlamps.
My problem lies with purchasing some new reflectors. They are apparently not
available as a spare part.
Those experienced with the V70 will know that the reflectors are suspended
on rubber bushes, and can be tilted by a tiny motor inside the headlamp unit
for the purposes of self-levelling. Therefore, the reflector is only a small
part of the headlamp, and not enough to spend £300 on a new headlamp unit
for.
The main dealer will not supply me any spare reflectors as a separate part,
and a long-winded journey through the Hella chain (Hella is printed on the
lenses) revealed only that the headlamps are made under licence by Volvo,
and not by Hella themselves.
I know for a fact that somewhere in the Volvo factory there is a big box of
these reflectors, and I simply need someone to pick a pair out for me, and
post them to me with the relevant bill. Is this too much to ask?
I am reluctant to buy any second-hand reflectors for fear of the peeling
being a common problem.
Any advice, or details of other people's experienced greatly appreciated.
MOT Approaching within 4 months!
Also, I would be interested in any details of after-market headlamp kits
which are available, if any?
Thank you.
Joe Landy
Peterborough
UK.

 

[Joe landy]

Hi there, thanks for the quick response.
The reflectors on my headlights are made of some type of Glass fibre
material, so I'm not sure if they'd survive chroming? I don't know much
about chroming processes, but last time I had some done, it was a
hot-dipping process after much polishing and preparing. perhaps you can
advise me further?
I have already been through the 'reflective foil tape' route, but the
reflection properties were poor, and pulling it off just removed more of the
original surface!
I'm told by my main dealer that some of the older cars, e.g 740/760 has the
same problem, but they started selling the reflectors as a replacement part.
Perhaps they'll do this for the V70 eventually?
Many thanks.
Also, Thanks to Mr Sweet who replied also. In the UK, Once you have removed
the glass from the headlamp, the reflector can be pulled out quite easily. I
assume you're in the US, and they're different there?
Joe Landy.
Peterborough
UK.