upper door panel trim

[stratosjohn]

Need to replace the drivers side upper door panel. Looked through the posts and did not see anything on this. Anybody replaced one of these and whats involved. Also looking for some advice on replacing weather stripping around the windshield and I also bought stripping for the doors. Looks like if I have to remove the door panel for the upper trim that would be the time to do the door weather stripping. Thanks for any help. John

Hey John.....Which one of your rides are you asking about. I use to be a trim tech for GM dealerships . My job called for me to remove trim panels and repair weatherstrips and the like. Let me know and I can help you. E-me.....Bob Yates

[stratosjohn]

Bob, Sorry about not posting which car. I'm working on the 1987 Vette. Kinda need to know how to appoach the door trim, what do I do to get at the fasteners etc. As for the weather stripping, same thing where to start and how to go about it to get the best results. Will be doing the windshield and doors. Thanks for the reply.

Hey John.....I'm at my office right now and I will need to give you a product number that helps in removing w/strips. Plus I will give you step by step on how to remove your panels but I need to be at home on my computor. I will get back to you around 4:30 pm eastern standard time ....See Ya ....Bob Yates

[stratosjohn]

Thanks Bob, I appreicate the help......John

Hey John ....I was just getting back to you with the info. I had type it all in and was getting ready to send it and it timed me out and I lost all I had typed. I'll try to E-mail you with the info maybe that will work. If not I can give you my phone number and I can talk you through it. Do you have a phone in your work space? Bob Yates

HhEY JOHN .....I'm going to try this in a different way(1) roll the window all the way down on the door you are working on. (2) disconnect the ground cable from the battery. (3)remove 7 trim screws from around the door panel's edges. If you have O.E.M. speakers in your doors remove the 4 screws holding the speaker grille on and set the grille aside

It's me again.....(4) Remove 2 screws for the door pull cup and the plate they held in. (5) Remove the arm rest pad by pushing inward and up to unhook it once lose carefully unhook the front part of the pad and set it aside. (6) Remove 4 screws from from door handle opening trim plate. To be continued

I'm back, this seems to be working....Here we go... There are push in fastners that are attached to the back of the door panel that are pushed into holes in the door. There is a tool to get these out but you can use a flate blade screwdriver. Pull on the edge of the panel and see if you can locate these fastners. when you find one take your screwdriver and pry at the base of it. When it pops out go to the next one . On some models there's 2 on others there are 4 . Being they are made out of plastic they break sometimes so don't worry if you break one . you can get them fairly easy

Let's finish this puppy.......See if you panel is lose and push up to release the top part of the panel from the door. Keep the panel close to door at this time because you still have things to disconnect. There is a metal rod that runs from the door lock knob to the door lock. try and disconnect it from the lock knob . it has a clip in the back of it once you've done that start disconnecting the harness to the rear deck switch, The door lock switch. the door dome light switch and if you are working on the driver's door the wiper switch. Now one thing to remember the inside door handle is going to be in the way so you have to wiggle it around while moving the panel off of it. Good luck ....Bob Yates....Sorry I had to cut it up like this but it's the only way I could get it to post