inner door panel removal

[waymilky]

The tips from my door locks fell inside the door panel. I would like to retrieve them but don't want to break anything in the process. How are the door panels removed? Do these just pry off? If so where do you start? Are there some hidden screws to remove first? I would really appreciate advice from somebody with first hand experience.

Thanks in advance.

 

[4AU4LIFE]

On the door itself there is a weatherstrip that runs the perimeter of the trim panel. It is held on by about ~10 plastic retainers. If you have a trim panel removal tool simply pop them out of the door shell to remove this weatherstrip. If you don't have that tool then you can get by with a pair of needle nose pliers.
Once you remove the weatherstrip there is going to be about 7-10 screws then exposed that hold the door panel to the shell. When you remove those lift up and out on the panel and it should come off. Be careful though.
FYI, the chrome strip at the top of the door doesn't come off with the panel. That is the split mark.
HTH

 

[dquarasr2]

On the door itself there is a weatherstrip that runs the perimeter of the trim panel. It is held on by about ~10 plastic retainers. If you have a trim panel removal tool simply pop them out of the door shell to remove this weatherstrip. If you don't have that tool then you can get by with a pair of needle nose pliers.
Once you remove the weatherstrip there is going to be about 7-10 screws then exposed that hold the door panel to the shell. When you remove those lift up and out on the panel and it should come off. Be careful though.
FYI, the chrome strip at the top of the door doesn't come off with the panel. That is the split mark.
HTH

There is no need to remove the weatherstrip. You can just move it out of the way. There are eight screws around the perimeter of the door panel.

The forward-most leather-covered panel inserts slides out toward the rear. You'd need to take that off to get the door handle off, unless you'd want to remove the panel and mess with the door lock actuator cable without removing the handle from the panel.

Also, there are to two sash covers that simply pry off. These are the triangular-shaped covers at the top of the door at the very front and rear of the door. It might be easier to remove them to lift the door panel off the door.

Once all the screws are removed, the sashes are removed, and the inner door handle is off (if needed), the panel lifts off the door quite readily.

 

[4AU4LIFE]

There is no need to remove the weatherstrip. You can just move it out of the way. There are eight screws around the perimeter of the door panel.

Makes the job a lot easier if you do though.

 

[D'Ecosse]

There is no need to remove the weatherstrip. You can just move it out of the way.

Makes the job a lot easier if you do though.

I agree with dquarasr2 - no need to remove it & I've done this many,many times!

.... There are eight screws around the perimeter of the door panel..

In this evolving theme of correcting the previous post, there are 7 screws around the perimeter :biggrin:

Instructions below steps 1-5 (click on thumbnails for large pics)



When you remove all the screws around the perimeter and also have removed the door handle assembly & the sash covers, pull out the panel from behind the weather stripping so all the tabs are on the front side of it; now (driver's side reference) while squatting facing the inside of the panel, hold the bottom rear section in your right hand and put the fingers of your left hand in behind the panel at the top rear, close to the sash attachment; pull with your left hand in an out (towards you) & up movement while assisting with your right hand to effectively rotate the panel about the front top sash point as fulcrum; once you are past the top rear sash point it should come easy. One thing to note that confuses most the first time is that the chrome strip along the top is part of the trim panel & will come with it as you remove the panel.
Go easy as you start to remove the panel - there are still some connectors that will need to be unplugged once you have it free of the door so don't try to remove it completely; the squat position allows you to balance it on your knees as you reach around & unplug the connectors before lifting it completely free. The most vulnerable connectors with the shortest wires are the light at the bottom (you can actually reach under & disconnect this one before you even attempt to remove the panel, once all the perimeter screws are removed) and the security indicator light at the top. Just be careful & don't pull the panel too far away from its fixed position before you get them all disconnected.
After the first time & you see what is going on, is really simple the next time.

p.s. When removing the 8 screws for the door handle, pay attention to where the brass coloured shoulder screws locate vs the black ones.

 

[khappucino]

have some quick dry epoxy handy just in case you break a tab off

 

[4AU4LIFE]

I realize it isn't REQUIRED to remove weatherstrip but it does make finding and removing the screws easier. That is my point.
Obviously others disagree and that is fine too. Do whatever method works for you.

 

[CKS Papa]

Look at the DIY by Drew in the door speaker removal section. I found it very helpful. It even has color pics.
http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/DIY/bose_rr.htm

 

[MvM]

The tips from my door locks fell inside the door panel. I would like to retrieve them but don't want to break anything in the process. How are the door panels removed? Do these just pry off? If so where do you start? Are there some hidden screws to remove first? I would really appreciate advice from somebody with first hand experience.

The most important stuff has already been mentioned above. If you don't have the manual, you can download it from this side.

If the doorlock tips indeed fell in, you will need to loosen the plastic doorcover. This is glued to the door with a very sticky adhesive. So I would advice to only pry it loose in one corner and see if you can find the tip down in the door.
One more thing, when I fitted my the lock tips again, I found that my remote control did not always seem to work. I traced this back to a sticky doortip that prevent the doorlock from operating correctly because of the friction. So I put a little lube around the bottom of the tip and now it works fine. Also, the tip screws on and has to be inserted from the bottom through the doorpanel. Make sure it works ok before putting back the inner door panel.

 

[waymilky]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. Now finding some free time to do it.

Eric

 

[4AU4LIFE]

Now finding some free time to do it.

Eric

isn't that always the way it is.:tongue:

 

[BD]

isn't that always the way it is.:tongue:

I strongly disagree!!!:tongue:

 

[skyguy]

See pix on this post.

:smile:

 

[bangbang001]

The tips from my door locks fell inside the door panel. I would like to retrieve them but don't want to break anything in the process. How are the door panels removed? Do these just pry off? If so where do you start? Are there some hidden screws to remove first? I would really appreciate advice from somebody with first hand experience.

Thanks in advance.

waymilky,

I sent you a private message.

ThANKS

 

[BATMANs]

The finish on my trim is bubbling and chipping away.

Can I remove it without taking apart my door?

This is a representation photo of what I am talking about (where all the buttons are)

 

[aluminiumdream]

to remove your bubbling control panel the door panel itsself must also be removed. underneath you will see 4 gold screws that hold it in.

 

[Thunder]

http://nsxe-repair.com/DS-removal.html

 

[BATMANs]

to remove your bubbling control panel the door panel itsself must also be removed. underneath you will see 4 gold screws that hold it in.

Ugh. I was afraid of that.

http://nsxe-repair.com/DS-removal.html

How do I remove the yellow stuff to get to the trim? Does it screw off or I have to peel it off?

 

[Thunder]

Ugh. I was afraid of that.



How do I remove the yellow stuff to get to the trim? Does it screw off or I have to peel it off?

which yellow stuff? I do not see…

 

[BATMANs]

which yellow stuff? I do not see…

OK. the off white - almond backing....

 

[LJSB]

You don't take that "yellow" padding off.

After you remove the door panel you will see how to get the switch trim panel off. Like the other post stated, there are screws and little brackets that hold it on.

You just can't see it from the perspective that this photo depicts. Trust me, it will be very obvious.