Date: 6-18-08 09:32 From: Rtown Subject: Installing new door panels....advice pls
just recently bought '75 2002 and looking to install new door panels which I recently purchased. Any suggestions on a resource/instructions (book, website, personal advice) for how to go about doing this? Thx in advance.
Date: 6-18-08 09:59 From: mike in Beavercreek, OH Subject: Presuming you have all the bits 'n pieces necessary...
1. Secure the acella cloth (the plastic sheet that's glued to the door's inner side) so water can't get in and ruin your new expensive boards
2. If they aren't already, install the plastic clips around the periphery of the upholstery board, and make sure the metal clips are inside the aluminum trim piece that runs along the window sill.
3. carefully place the panel in position so that the aluminum trim piece is resting lightly on the spine to which it will be clipped, and poke the door lock knob through its hole.
4. With a rubber mallet, tap the aluminum trim piece home, a little at a time, working back and forth along the panel, until it's seated. Start at the back edge.
5. Starting with the upper clips on the leading and trailing penel edges, align 'em with their holes and press 'em in place. Once the sides are in place, work your way along the bottom until all are pressed in.
6. Reinstall door handle, window winder and arm rest, and you're done.
Be careful with the aluminum trim piece; it's easily bent and the very devil to straighten. Tap gently and a little at a time.
cheers
mike _________________ '69 Nevada sunroof--"Wolfgang"--bought new
'73 Sahara sunroof-- "Ludwig"--mine since '78
'87 eta E30 coupe--"Johannes"
+ Fiat Topolini (Benito & Luigi), Renault 4CVs (Anatole, Lucky Pierre, Brigette)...
and Kermit, the Bugeye Sprite
Date: 6-18-08 10:47 From: BillWilliams in Maryland Subject: Ditto to Mother Duck Mike Self
A couple of thoughts.
The panels for the early cars seem to be too wide, they rub the B pillar area when the door closes. I tore one on the touring and have heard other stories. So really check that, make sure the panel does not drag.
If it does, unstaple the vinyl, cut the backer board, restaple, recheck.
Also, I make a masking tape rope around the door lock to help thread it through the hole in the panel. Wrap some masking tape around the lock bar, wrap the tape on itself, sticky side in, making a "string or rope" that is small enough to pull through the hole. Use this to guide the bar through the hole.
Another thought, I think the clips on the chrome strip are unnecessarily tight. I take a pair of needle nose pliers and reduce the pressure those barbs apply. This makes it easier to remove in the future and you will have to remove at some time.
Clean and lube all the moving parts in the door before you put the panels on. _________________ 1972 2000tii Touring
1972 2002tii with A4 system
1972 2002tii found a motor
16' Mad River
Date: 6-18-08 11:07 From: smithdog57 in Orion, MI Subject: Re: Ditto to Mother Duck Mike Self
Don't forget the springs that go in the vent window post and the main window crank. They help keep the panel pushed out in those areas for a clean fit. _________________ 1975; 2002
1995; 318ti
2004; 330i ZHP
Date: 6-18-08 11:10 From: Rtown Subject: Re: Presuming you have all the bits 'n pieces necessary...
Thank you both for the replies! A few questions....
1)acella cloth? Is this a plastic to go in between the panel and the door to protect it from the elements? As you can tell, it did not have anything on the passenger door.....just exposed "innards";) I haven't taken off the driver's side yet.
2)So if I understand correctly, once I have the vinyl mounted on the board and the fasteners in place (and acella cloth or plastic installed over the door), I'll position the panel under the aluminum trim on the top and gently tap that around the panel?
3)You also referenced "metal clips" inside the aluminum trim piece. Are these clips built-in to the trim?
Thx again for your help!
Date: 6-18-08 02:20 From: BillWilliams in Maryland Subject: The problem is...
On the top of the panel is a chrome strip that tops the panel and a squeege strip that goes along the window.
The clips are a puzzle piece to put in and I can not explain it. There are also two different types of clips you use. 3 or 4 along the door panel where the roll up window goes, those clips hold the chrome, panel and squeegee strip. There is another clip that only holds the panel and chrome strip. There is no squeegee along the wing vent.
So, I hope someone can explain the clips better _________________ 1972 2000tii Touring
1972 2002tii with A4 system
1972 2002tii found a motor
16' Mad River
Date: 6-18-08 04:02 From: jgerock in Alexandria, VA Subject: Re: The problem is...
Regardiing the metal clips along the window scraper: removing the door panels can be a tough one, if they have been in place for a while. I tried all the usual tricks and found a good method:
Pry the door panel plastic clips (typically green-colored) from the door and then use a long flat-blade screwdriver to push upward direcctly on the metal clips while holding the panel slightly away from the door. This works best while lying underneath the door. Apply copper anti-seize paste to them so next time will be easier.
Great tip from Bill Williams on the oversized panels rubbing the B-pillar - now I know why mine do! _________________ Jim Gerock
BMWCCA # 381868
73tii "Celeste" # 2764081
71 VW Bug
Date: 6-18-08 04:49 From: BillWilliams in Maryland Subject: Here are some pict for a door panel and
chrome strips I rattled on about.
General orientation of the panel and the two strips
Clips holding the chrome strip and window squeegee together
This area holds the strips to the panel
This area holds the strips and panel to the door
It is a clip somewhat like this one that goes by the wing vent
_________________ 1972 2000tii Touring
1972 2002tii with A4 system
1972 2002tii found a motor
16' Mad River
Date: 6-18-08 05:24 From: Harv in Willoughby Oh. Subject: Re: Here are some pict for a door panel and
Bill,
If ya bend over and buy new early door panels from MT, do they come with that chrome strip and seal attached?
John _________________ "Chicken make no good house pet!"
"Less brake, more accelerator"
#1665778
Date: 6-18-08 06:11 From: BillWilliams in Maryland Subject: Blunt can answer that better than me but
I think you have to buy the chrome strip, squeegee and clips separately. _________________ 1972 2000tii Touring
1972 2002tii with A4 system
1972 2002tii found a motor
16' Mad River
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