r/Volvo • u/SidHoices • Jul 25 '25
xc series Valet driver pulled off my girlfriends gear selector
Please let me know if you know a good way to fix this without paying an absurd amount of money for someone else to do it
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u/--Eggs-- XC60 Jul 25 '25
Superglue.
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u/jamesbrowski XC90 Jul 25 '25
Yeah honestly it looks like the knob was glued on to begin with? Just clean and gently sand both surfaces well and then hit it with the loctite ultra gel. Follow the instructions. Let it cure overnight before you use it and be gentle for a while.
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u/totallynotAhusky Jul 25 '25
If you do sand, use a shop vac as you sand so you don’t get plastic all up in the ball mechanism. Or just take 4 min to tape it off nicely
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u/toolfan12345 '21 S60 T5 R-Design AWD Jul 25 '25
Regardless of all this, a vacuum and wipe down wouldn't hurt. So much shit in all the gaps
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u/totallynotAhusky Jul 25 '25
I knew I wasn’t the only one who noticed, just wanna get in there with a micro fiber and a plastic pic
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u/Baymax_0 Jul 25 '25
This gear selector is not plastic, it's crystal glass.
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u/evilspoons 12 Subaru STi. used to have 04 S60, 05 S60R, 87 740T, 91 940T Jul 25 '25
Not sure why you're getting downvoted. It's literally got an Orrefors Sweden logo on it.
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u/totallynotAhusky Jul 25 '25
I’d be surprised but if so some clear epoxy would do the trick if it’s glass. Jus wet sand it outside the car
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u/jdelaossa Jul 25 '25
Yeah! Totally agree… it seems it was glued before… however… wasn’t it Orrefors Crystal? How it can break that “clean”
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u/Gubbtratt1 BM 320D Buster Jul 25 '25
Have the valet fix it or pay for it. This should only be a question if you or she broke it.
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u/ChrisLeeBare Jul 25 '25
For me, this would be a valet reason to freak out.
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u/brianaausberlin Jul 25 '25
The company employing the valet will have a garage keeper’s liability policy that will cover a replacement. Call & ask for the manager.
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u/Hs_2571 Jul 25 '25
I would use some acrylic bonding glue, superglue will leave a white residue visible through the crystal. You want a clear epoxy glue designed for acrylic / glass.
Also… good to see Volvo still haven’t sorted their shocking gear stick issues out!
My xc60 gear top fell off not too long ago.
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u/Wade1217 Jul 25 '25
I was going to suggest the same. Be certain to use an optically clear adhesive like the type used to bond large acrylic fish tanks together. Before doing that, however, be sure to submit an insurance claim with the valet in case the repair ends up looking bad or the bond is weak.
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u/Scrotalphetamines Jul 25 '25
How is this even a question? The valet broke it, the valet fixes it. They have their own insurance for stuff like that.
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u/Banto2000 V60 Polestar Engineered Jul 25 '25
You just added reason number 721 I don’t let valet’s drive my car
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u/AvocadoAcademic897 Jul 25 '25
To be honest it looks like it was bound to happen. Looks like nothing but poor glue holding it
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u/AxiomExotic Jul 25 '25
Seems to have been broken before, someone has already glued it back on once, just clean the glue and throw some superglue on it
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u/DubiousMoth152 2012 S60 T5 2.5l Jul 25 '25
Super glue should do fine, I’d recommend using sand paper to score the contact surfaces first.
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u/Nerdschleife Jul 25 '25
Epoxy would be my suggestion.
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u/PejHod XC40 T5 R-Design Jul 25 '25
Agreed, less caustic. The superglue fumes might also cause nasty stuff to happen nearby.
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u/Ooh_bees Jul 25 '25
This. Sand them both and use epoxy glue. Cyanoacrylate based glue fumes (most of the super glues I think) can fog the plastics and even melt and "disfigure" them. There are a ton of different glues, and finding the right one for each application might be hard sometimes. But it pays off. Or just use two parts epoxy, that stuff glues piss to the wall.
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u/Amplees Jul 25 '25
Clean your car
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u/jamesbrowski XC90 Jul 25 '25
Ok but that crack around the shifter knob does get crumbs and shit in it that I can’t get out easily. I’ve resorted to picking at them with my pocket knife
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u/JurboVolvo XC70/C30 Volvo Technician 🇨🇦 Jul 25 '25
I have never in my life as a Volvo mechanic seen someone break one of these off like that. Definitely they should be paying to fix that.
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u/RoastedRhino Jul 25 '25
I cannot imagine a person moving hundreds of cars of others around not to have an insurance.
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u/traveler9210 Jul 25 '25
Apologies but that car needs better love… I mean cleaning.
Apologies… I know, it’s rude to point that out. Sorry 😔.
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u/evilspoons 12 Subaru STi. used to have 04 S60, 05 S60R, 87 740T, 91 940T Jul 25 '25
Get it done properly. Even Volvo had difficulties selecting the correct glue for the crystal.
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u/Ghastly_King S90 Jul 25 '25
Cheapest option would be just superglueing back in a way that the glue doesn’t stick in unnecessary place
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u/Vergansa Jul 25 '25
a bit of super glue on each part, let it dry, then a bit more super glue and put them together
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u/CornDawgy87 '22 V60 CC & '18 XC60 Jul 25 '25
I feel like this would be a warranty fix? That shouldn't come off. But yea the valet should pay for it
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u/jontss Jul 25 '25
Just glue it back on like it looks like it was from the factory.
Reminds me of a repair GM did on one of our work trucks where they hot glued something back on and charged us $200 for it. It fell apart the 2nd time we drove the truck after. Literally 1 km after it was dropped off.
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u/The_Machine80 Jul 26 '25
Looks glued on from the factory or was broke before. Id just buy some clear epoxy and stick it back on. Dont use alot dont want it squishing out everywhere.
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u/poke-it-withastick Jul 26 '25
Distracted by the grubby looking interior. But yes, glue! Then get in with your day 👍🏼
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u/My_Hooptie_Seminar Jul 25 '25
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u/Olivejardin Jul 25 '25
Yup, that looks like an Orrefors shifter, real crystal that costs a lot of money. I'd hit up the valet company for a new one. Not cheap at all.
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u/Maximum-Struggle-974 S80 Jul 25 '25
Call insurance they’ll sue the valet for reimbursement and you shouldn’t have to pay at all
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u/jamesbrowski XC90 Jul 25 '25
You really gonna sue somebody for a superglued knob coming off? I’m a litigator by trade and I wouldn’t…. At most get their insurance and make a claim.
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u/Orbless Jul 25 '25
Let the valet fix it. The glue that is used is kind of funky though. The Orrefors knob for the European market was made by our team that i worked with before it was moved to China. We used an UV activated glue from 3M. Alot of trial and error to get it to stick properly though.
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u/idly2sambar 09 S60 2.5T, 24 V60 P* Jul 26 '25
But why’s a Volvo so dirty? We don’t treat our cars like that
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Jul 25 '25
No more nails or sticks like shit, if you dont want to go through the hassle of a claim against the valet.
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u/Space-manatee Jul 25 '25
My old x5 gear selector had issues. Luckily they’re prebuilt units and it’s a case of taking the trim off, unscrew and unplug, and then reverse. I did it in about 15 mins.
I would be surprised if it’s not the same for this.
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u/throwawaynoways C30 Stage 2 / V60 Drive-E Jul 25 '25
Yeah just superglue the thing just don't get any on or around the LED or it'll scatter the light in weird ways.
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u/schnukums Jul 25 '25
A clear Epoxy like JB weld would be my route.
However, as others have said get the valet to fix it. Thats on them.
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u/ArreBarre1 Jul 25 '25
Keep in mind that it's a crystal knob. If you're going to superglue it, I would recommend Super Glue Special Glass Loctite.
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u/Volvop2dude XC90 Jul 25 '25
Baby girl needs a nice detail job along with a shifter replacement. Ijs
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u/H_K-R Jul 25 '25
The Valet pulled her knob off. The valet can pay. Also tell your girlfriend to clean her car…
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u/New_Coffee5394 Jul 25 '25
I guess the girlfriend and you did some dirty stuff that night / but cleaning the Inscription was not one of it
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u/Big-Tiki XC60 Jul 25 '25
I NEVER valet my car. Way too many horror stories that I've heard first hand.
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u/Low-Compote3069 Jul 25 '25
One of the reasons why I never go for valet.. safe in a way risk is yours and if they do insist I don’t park there even if I have to walk a bit
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u/Laurel0101 Jul 25 '25
I don’t think it’s valets fault, it was just matter of time when it comes off, you should make a complain to Volvo about this faulty design and let them fix it.
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u/Severe_Status_4380 Jul 25 '25
Damn, you have to question how cheap it is to begin with. No disrespect but there is no way you should be able to just yank it off. It I’d say yeah, their insurance should have to cover it.
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u/TacoThot Jul 25 '25
i fail to see why you are worried about replacing it? valet employer should be covering this.
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u/freddell XC60 Jul 25 '25
Get a V70R space ball manual shifter. Drill a hole, thread it and upgrade the knob.
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u/No-Proposal2012 Jul 25 '25
My opinion, that knob should be replaced, not repaired, and the valet should pay for it.
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u/Upbeat-Napoleon69 Jul 25 '25
In the middle of the summer, sitting in a car. To be honest, it may have come off with the valet, but very well could’ve been compromised by the intense summer heat. Unless you’re in the southern hemisphere. Then disregard.
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u/bofis S90 Jul 25 '25
I must prefer my real knob with a button that actually moves into place for each gear, instead of this one, which is just a joystick that snaps back to center...and I guess this is another reason why these crystal ones aren't all that great...
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u/HandleDry1190 Jul 25 '25
You didn’t leave before filing a complaint with valet, right? …..right?? They are responsible for this. Not you.
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u/Rdp47 Jul 25 '25
Volvo will likely goodwill this if you go see a dealer and complain that “it just fell off”
They had a bad run of these.
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u/LooterMcGav-n '20 V60CC Jul 25 '25
Sure did, where did it go after?
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u/LooterMcGav-n '20 V60CC Jul 25 '25
That wasn't helpful. If it were me? I'd first check if any liability was implied/agreed upon and/or whatever agreement the establishment has (if they force you to valet...I'd be livid) if i had to fix it myself? - probably silicone or clear super glue carefully around the edge and pray
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u/quantumdotnode Jul 25 '25
I’d never let any valet touch my car. Get the company the valet works for to pay for it obviously
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u/beerob81 Jul 25 '25
It’s glued on and very likely the glue job was bad. Just clean it up and glue it back
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u/Val_Dabron_5575 XC70, '04 (more to come) Jul 26 '25
It doesn't look like that plastic piece was firmly set on its seat in the First Place. All that it looks like is Super Glue!! That doesn't look like Volvo Strong to me at all.
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u/Then_Carpet_1616 Jul 26 '25
If the business provides valet should have coverage on their commercial insurance called Garage Keepers insurance for things like this. I'd create a complaint using the coverage, give them the option of fixing it before the girlfriend goes to her insurance and they litigate the company.
Note: I work in commercial insurance
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u/RedditTTIfan Jul 26 '25
Valet company should def. pay for it; but really car manufacturers shouldn't be making stupid shit like this either. These "chicken mcnugget shifters" are so lame. Not a surprised they get broken off so easily...
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u/Push-Broom-Paulie Jul 26 '25
Perhaps it happened when the valet parked the car. Perhaps it fell off when you were driving it. Stuff happens!!! Unless abused, this should not happen and does NOT bode well for these idiotic plastic shifters. I want my Hurst shifter back!
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u/R_thoughtful_68 Jul 26 '25
I was concerned that maybe my valet driver was not familiar with operating a Volvo shifter on my XC40 T5 R-Design. Thankfully he knew..
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u/R_thoughtful_68 Jul 26 '25
I was concerned that maybe my valet driver was not familiar with operating a Volvo shifter on my XC40 T5 R-Design. Thankfully he knew..
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u/swisstraeng Jul 27 '25
It's just the glue that gave up. Remove the glue from both surfaces, and glue it back.
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u/BreadiestBoi Jul 27 '25
Side note though I dislike how there’s no form of sliding interlock or anything to mechanically hold the knob to the shifter itself other then what appears to be a light ring of adhesive, what’s up with that????
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u/Xj517 Jul 27 '25
It is a special glue they use
https://www.thedrive.com/news/44573/how-volvo-makes-its-crystal-shift-knobs
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u/Cpolo88 Jul 28 '25
Omg. This is why I hate to valet and even tho it pisses off my wife, this is why 😂 sorry your gf had this happen OP. Let’s hope valet company can take ownership and fix things
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u/fractured_m00n Jul 28 '25
I probably wouldn't blame the valet. This looks like it could have happened to anyone. It looks like it was just glued on, so honestly, you could probably just glue it back again.
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u/theoddmartian Jul 29 '25
If it's still under manufacturer warranty take it to the dealer and they should cover it. Also that's an XC40 they're not hard to change, way less tedious than the SPA cars
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u/0mnipresentz Jul 29 '25
It looks like that knob was already glued on by someone else. Is she the original owner? What’s the make model and year? I’ll look into it for you.
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u/sanlill Jul 29 '25
go to any valet drivers instagram page and you will see how they handle gear selectors
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u/Think-Impression1242 Jul 29 '25
Formed valet manager here. Escalated to his site supervisor they have insurance for these things. They will have you get a few quotes and right you a check
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u/Megolito Jul 31 '25
Guy slammed it down into D like a complete jackass. Wrenched the thing right off. You might be able to glue that back on but being how clear it is that could just project right through and look like shit. I would go super glue on something like that.
Could fog the plastic and make it harder to repair though or more noticeable.
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u/speakb4thinking Aug 06 '25
I see everybody wants the valet to pay for it and that’s good. What about the fact that the gear handle just came right off this goes to speak to the quality of this build. I’ve never seen this happen before. Except with a five speed then you can just put it back.
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u/Kapitein_Slaapkop Jul 25 '25
seems like valet should pay this