MINI2

jmardy · Jul 3rd, 2002, 01:18 PM

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 · Jul 3rd, 2002, 01:52 PM

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 · Jul 3rd, 2002, 02:04 PM

Quote:

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

Dom

Would that be a left pull or....

jmardy · Jul 3rd, 2002, 02:05 PM

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 · Jul 3rd, 2002, 08:04 PM

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. · Apr 2nd, 2007, 06:45 PM

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

chris.lamb · Apr 3rd, 2007, 09:54 AM

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 · Apr 3rd, 2007, 08:04 PM

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. · Apr 3rd, 2007, 10:33 PM

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

Jul 3rd, 2002, 01:18 PM	#1
jmardy MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jun 2002 Local Time: 09:11 PM Posts: 265 Offline	Door panel removal help please. 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

Jul 3rd, 2002, 02:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
JonBlakeburn Indecisive MINI Owner Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: United Kingdom Local Time: 05:11 AM Posts: 476 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Dom Just bend the door card towards you slightly and pull... Dom Would that be a left pull or.... Jon Blakeburn 2002 Raven Blue Lupo GTi

Jul 3rd, 2002, 02:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
jmardy MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jun 2002 Local Time: 09:11 PM Posts: 265 Offline	Thanks everyone! 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."

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Jul 3rd, 2002, 01:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dom Test thread infiltrator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Swindon Local Time: 05:11 AM Posts: 8,543 Offline	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

Jul 3rd, 2002, 08:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
jmardy MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jun 2002 Local Time: 09:11 PM Posts: 265 Offline	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

Apr 2nd, 2007, 06:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rick S. MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: California Bay Area Local Time: 04:11 AM Posts: 4 Offline	so on my early 2004S, to remove the door panel I remove the 3 torx screws then use the techniques noted above?

Apr 3rd, 2007, 09:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
chris.lamb MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Warwick Local Time: 05:11 AM Posts: 300 Offline	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.

Apr 3rd, 2007, 08:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
bright spark MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Manchester Local Time: 05:11 AM Posts: 3 Offline	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!

Apr 3rd, 2007, 10:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rick S. MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: California Bay Area Local Time: 04:11 AM Posts: 4 Offline	thanks for the assists. It'll be a week or so before I can try this....

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