Any technician who has tried to remove an instrument panel alone will appreciate special bolts installed in place of the top bolts. They allow the instrument panel to be pulled directly back and rest on the bolts while the remaining bolts and connectors on the panel backside are removed.
Structural Repairs
The Volvo service information includes several recommendations for partial replacement of the structural parts. The inner front lower rail service part has two optional cut lines for sectioning. Both cut locations avoid the inner reinforcement and the laser weld. There are also sectioning recommendations for the A-pillars, rocker panels, rear rails, and trunk floor. Specifications are listed in the Volvo service information.
Advanced Restraint System
The latest in restraint system technology is featured on the S40/V50. The passenger seat features an occupant classification system, which determines whether or not to deploy the passenger airbag depending on how much weight is detected in the seat. The parts of this system, including the bladder, weight sensor, and pressure sensor, are all replaced as one kit that includes the passenger seat foam. The parts are not serviced separately.
There are seat position sensors at the bottom of both front seats, which also help determine the size of the occupant. The front seat belts are not only equipped with pre-tensioners, but also adaptive force limiters. These assemblies modify the seat belt force on the chest to one of three levels based on the seat position, how far the seat belt is unrolled, and the severity of the collision.
As in all late-model Volvo vehicles, the S40/V50 also feature side airbags in the front seats, full-length side-impact curtain airbags on both sides, and a whiplash protection system to reduce the severity of neck injuries in a rear-end collision.
Steering System
Two highlights of the steering system on the S40/V50 are the adaptive collapsible steering column and the power steering pump.
The S40/V50 steering column collapses at two U-joints, moving the steering wheel inward. There is also a pyrotechnic charge on the steering column that deploys a pin, allowing the steering wheel to move closer to the instrument panel. The pin deploys only if there is a driver airbag deployment and the driver seat belt is in use. If the steering column collapses or the pyrotechnic charge deploys, the complete column must be replaced.
The power steering pump is electro-hydraulic. The hydraulic pump is driven by its own electric motor instead of the engine. This makes the power steering function more independent, allowing consistent steering efforts regardless of engine load or even engine operation. The electro-hydraulic, power-assisted steering assembly, which includes a control module, motor, pump, and fluid reservoir, is located directly behind the front bumper rail on the right side. Tests have shown that the unit will likely not be damaged in a 16 km/h (10 mph) collision.
Conclusion
The S40/V50 is a new platform for Volvo. Repair technicians who have worked on Volvo vehicles will find some things familiar and some things new.
I-CAR is developing a series of training programs with Volvo Cars of North America on repairing Volvo vehicles. These programs will be available to any I-CAR student. One of these programs still under development focuses on the S40/V50. Pay attention to the I-CAR web site for a release date and to find the program in your area.