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View Full Version : Removing door panel

theronin
08-13-2007, 01:25 PM
In my last thread about my door being stuck shut i had a few people suggest that i just remove the door panel. However i have taken off all the screws on the bottom of the panel, removed the handle assembly and the switches and the panel still wont come off. i know from inspecting the driver side that i have 1 tab that is simply impossible to get at while the door is stuck. Ive tried the WD 40 route and it still is just stuck. Anyone have any thoughts as to how i can get this panel off while the door is still shut? Its becoming quite a headache.
Wahl 136
08-13-2007, 01:37 PM
In my last thread about my door being stuck shut i had a few people suggest that i just remove the door panel. However i have taken off all the screws on the bottom of the panel, removed the handle assembly and the switches and the panel still wont come off. i know from inspecting the driver side that i have 1 tab that is simply impossible to get at while the door is stuck. Ive tried the WD 40 route and it still is just stuck. Anyone have any thoughts as to how i can get this panel off while the door is still shut? Its becoming quite a headache.

I'm relatively positive it's impossible to get off with the door shut unless the seat is out of the car.
theronin
08-13-2007, 01:40 PM
what does the seat out of the car have to do with the door? i removed all the hardware i could from the door. the seat isnt the issue, its the last tab and the fact that physically i just dont see how its possible. Russ, care to help me out?
Wahl 136
08-13-2007, 01:42 PM
what does the seat out of the car have to do with the door? i removed all the hardware i could from the door. the seat isnt the issue, its the last tab and the fact that physically i just dont see how its possible. Russ, care to help me out?

I must have misunderstood your post then. I was under the impression that's what you were trying to do.
Ragnarok043
08-13-2007, 02:03 PM
theres no way you can remove the panel without opening the door. the panel is held in by hooking over the window sill on top and with clips that pop straight out at the bottom. at the moment the door is sandwiching the panel to the car.

anyways from your other thread sound like its only the lock and not the latch thats the problem. have you tried using a slim jim yet.
theronin
08-13-2007, 02:55 PM
sorry ragnarok, i just proved you wrong. i took wahl's advice and removed the seat. that gave me enough room to pry the panel off. Thanks Wahl. However i still cant seem to get the damn thing open. I can see all of the rods and mechanisms and such, i just simply dont know where to start diagnosing my problem. Does anyone have a diagram of the inner workings of our car doors? Im about to lose my mind. Everything seems intact and working. the door just wont f$%@ing open.
Wahl 136
08-13-2007, 03:15 PM
sorry ragnarok, i just proved you wrong. i took wahl's advice and removed the seat. that gave me enough room to pry the panel off. Thanks Wahl. However i still cant seem to get the damn thing open. I can see all of the rods and mechanisms and such, i just simply dont know where to start diagnosing my problem. Does anyone have a diagram of the inner workings of our car doors? Im about to lose my mind. Everything seems intact and working. the door just wont f$%@ing open.

No problem. Inside it should just be a rod that connects to the location of your inside door handle. When you pull the handle it pulls the rod which is connected to the locking mechinism at the end of the door. Check and make sure everything is still connected. That sounds weird to me eithier way.
theronin
08-13-2007, 04:34 PM
well its fixed. i took it to a locksmith who recommended a stereo installer friend of his. he came out with a fancy thingamajig and after a while he managed to get the mechanism free. he suggested that i replace the unit with an aftermarket actuator for 50 bucks. think i should jump on it or keep it how it is and just be careful to not unlock the door as someone is going for the handle?
Bizzytony
08-13-2007, 06:31 PM
that sounds like deals, power doors for $50? in hawaii its like $70 a door plus parts.
projectRDM
08-13-2007, 06:48 PM
well its fixed. i took it to a locksmith who recommended a stereo installer friend of his. he came out with a fancy thingamajig and after a while he managed to get the mechanism free. he suggested that i replace the unit with an aftermarket actuator for 50 bucks. think i should jump on it or keep it how it is and just be careful to not unlock the door as someone is going for the handle?

If it's just the OE actuator or latch, PM me, I have a stack of them. Sorry I didn't jump in this sooner, didn't see it.