Door panel removal help please.

[jmardy]

I've found a couple postings about removing the door panels but they haven't helped me.
There is a good writeup in Dom's thread by space_cadet but I need more.

I was thinking of using 2 metal spatulas and a wooden wedge to get the !#@$ things to pop off, has anyone tried this?
Does anyone have a secret?
Does anyone have a closup picture of the fasteners?

TIA
-John

[Dom]

You'll need something that won't bend, and make sure it's protected by tape or something so that it won't damage the paintwork.

I started on the middle of the right hand side - work your way DOWN... the top is held on by different clips. Just bend the door card towards you slightly and pull...

Dom

[JonBlakeburn]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dom
Just bend the door card towards you slightly and pull...

Dom

Would that be a left pull or....

[jmardy]

space_cadet was nice enough to send me this, maybe it will help someone else as well.
I thought there were only the 3 torx screws, glad I didn't force anything.

"It does take some pulling - also there are 4 torx screw - there's one hidden behind the red reflector.


Try this. Wind the window all the way down. Put your fingers
behind the top of the door panel right at the front of the door where it curves up slightly. There is a bit of a ledge here so you can get some good leverage. A VERY sharp tug should get you started and open up a gap so yuo can work your wat around the rest of it. Dont be scared to give it some. Helps also if somebody else holds the door in place while you do it."

[jmardy]

OK, I just did it and I was just being a big baby.

The panel (I'm going to start calling it a card) pops off with a firm yank on the top front corner.

Nothing damaged, nothing to worry about.

The door locking pin did fall out though but I can't imagine that's too hard to figure out as soon as I get a flashlight.

Cheers

[Rick S.]

so on my early 2004S, to remove the door panel I remove the 3 torx screws then use the techniques noted above?

[chris.lamb]

I have found that this tool :-

Plastic Spatula: Fine Tools Online Store

Is very useful for levering trim off cars without stratching the paint or the trim.

[bright spark]

The method i use to remove the door cards, once three torx screws are removed, is to open the door fully and wind the window down fully. Bending down use one knee to hold the door at the very bottom on the metal part to stop it moving once the tug of war starts. Remember do not hulk it off as there is a wire attached to the bottom of the door for the puddle lights and the door lock indicator thing ( technical language i know ). On the top of the door, near the hinge, there will be a raised bit. Grab this now the window is down, pull in bursts i used the lethal weapon on three which will result in the tweeter surround popping off if you havent already removed. Good look the rear panels are the interesting onces to remove you can do it use the force!

[Rick S.]

thanks for the assists. It'll be a week or so before I can try this....