Removing door panel

[Jamie Boy]

The lock on my driver's door recently detached from the inner mechanism due to a nut or similar coming loose (I can hear it moving about inside the door) causing the key to no longer work. I can now only lock the driver's door from inside then lock the passenger's door with the key, which is a real pain. I've tried removing the inner door panel to fix the lock, but I am having real trouble removing it. I have managed to pull one side loose by popping out the plastic fasteners, but the window handle and possibly the window seal at the top and the plastic at the wing-mirror seem to be holding it on. Can anyone advise me how to remove the window handle and the door panel cover. Also, from the space I have opened up I can see there is a plastic film over the door cavities too. Will I need to cut this? Anyone with any experience of this or similar?

 

[jcs356]

It has been a while since I took my door panels off, but you will definitely need to remove the speaker grille, speaker, door pull and window winder (prise off the cover and then you can access the screw). There may also be some screws in the door pockets if you have them. Then it is just a case of gently easing the panel away from the door frame - it is clipped all around with some plastic clips which come off quite easily. There isn't anything special holding it on at the top or near the wing mirror. Once you have it loose, you will need to unclip the wire from the interior door handle to completely remove the panel.

Yes, the plastic membrane is part of the door waterproofing. If you are lucky, you may be able to peel it away from the top corner. If not you will have to cut it. Either tape it back up again, or remove the whole plastic and replace it with some new plastic (bin liner etc etc).

Hope that helps.

 

[Jamie Boy]

Thanks

Thanks alot for your help. I just didn't want to force anything off that I shouldn't, such as the window handle. I will give it a go on Sunday afternoon if the rain stays off. Glasgow can be a very wet place in October. Will let you know how I get on.
Jamie.

 

[Jamie Boy]

I managed to get into the door with not too much hassle (once I worked out how the window handle comes off - like everything, easy once you know how!), but the lock mechanism is broken - it seems to made from a cheap and not very strong alloy. I will need to buy a new lock. Do you know if it is easy to fit? Does it just unbolt from the side of the door and slide out, so that you don't have to open the door panel again? Any information again handy, as if it's easy I will just go to a scrappy and get a new lock from an old car. I need a couple of other small cosmetic parts anyway. Ta. Jamie.