Help. Need advice on removing inside door pannel.

[stevenlee]

I'm trying to fix the popping sound on my "94. Dali told me the window needs grease and adjustment. I'm following the service manual on-line (section 20-7) and have removed the 7 screws that hold the front, bottom and back of the inner door pannel. The pannel will not lift up as per the manual. It feels like it is firmly attatched at the top to the door. How do I get the door pannel off? If anybody knows, please advise.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[LJSB]

Did you remove the screws for the door handle and front sash cover?? (See 20-6)Did you lower the window?
It just doesn't slide up you nice and easy you have to lift it with conviction and it will "pop" up. Grab the two lower corners and wiggle the panel while putting force straight upwards.
Once it pops loose disconnect the plugs from the courtesy lamp, security lamp and the window switches.
Make sure you have removed ALL the screws on both pages 20-6 and 20-7 before you try to do this.

 

[D'Ecosse]

Did you lower the window to begin? I assume you have the door handle assembly off? (Remove the leather door handle trim plate, then the 8 screws holding the handle assembly in place & unlatch the door relase cable & lift the handle assembly away) Also be sure you removed the trim triangle pieces (sash covers) at front & rear of the door panel/window interface?
If you do, then all you should need to do is lift it out - if you lift up from the bottom left corner (drivers door) & sort of rotate it clockwise to pop the rear top part out first, it should come free - be careful as then you will have to unlatch all the various electrical connectors between the panel & the door harness, so you won't be able to withdraw it completely immediately.

 

[D'Ecosse]

Hey - this must be the right process - replies form pbassjo & me pretty much jive! I guess we were constructing at the same time but I got distracted for a few mins.

 

[LJSB]

Yeah, what he said there!
Up too late on the East Coast.

 

[D'Ecosse]

Hey pbassjo - not much else to do there late in Poughkeepsie - spent a year in that neighborhood in late 80's! (Ex is from Hopewell Junction - have especially fond memories of hot Pastrami & Swiss sandwiches for lunch from Frankie's Deli in HJ!)
When I hear the town's name it always reminds me of the famous Popeye Doyle line from the French Connection, about "picking your feet in Poughkeepsie" - never really understood the significance (writer had some warped thing going on in his mind I guess) but one of those things that stays with you!

 

[stevenlee]

I did remove the door handle and all of the screws under it. I removed all of the screwa along the front, bottom and rear of the door pannel. I disconnected the electrical connectors by reaching from the bottom between the door and the pannel. The pannel seems loose and moves away from the dooe except for the top edge where the window is. I did roll the window down all the way. I lifted about 20 pounds of pressure and nothing let go. Should I lift more???

 

[LJSB]

Yep.

"all you should need to do is lift it out - if you lift up from the bottom left corner (drivers door) & sort of rotate it clockwise to pop the rear top part out first, it should come free"

"Grab the two lower corners and wiggle the panel while putting force straight upwards."


D'Ecosse,
As kids we called it "Hopeless" Junction.
The real estate is going gold there now with people from Westchester moving up.
I always liked that scene where he busts a junkie for sitting on the edge of the bed and picking his toes in Poughkeepsie.
I worry every time I do it myself.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Remember the Chrome top strip DOES NOT COME OUT WITH THE PANEL.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[matteni]

Follow everyone's advice but IMO the door panel is pressed in there very firmly and needs some english to come straight up over the lock button. It helps me to start at one end rather then get the whole door panel to come staight up. Same when it goes back on.

just double check that all the dongles are off (I always have a heck of a time with the one connected to the light)

 

[stevenlee]

SUCCESS !!!
I GOT IT OFF!!!

Thanks for all of the advice...especially for pointing out that the chrome strip doesn't come off. I pulled the top of the panel out to clear the chrome strip and then lifted from the outer corner first. It came out easy.

Thanks a million to everyone for your support!

Last night while I was waiting for suggestions, I pulled the shifter lever out of the car, straightened it and cut .9 inch of the base of the shaft and welded it back. Next I'll make a custom black plastic shift knob (slimmer design) with an integral clip to hold the stock boot clip.

But first, I'll start looking for that popping noise coming from the window...What color is that popping noise anyway??? (HaHa.)

Thanks,
Steve