door panel removal

oilspotoilspot Wagonist
in Bodywork & Cosmetic Modifications
pulling the rear door panels to replace broken lock handles. I've taken off the window crank, pulled the screws in the back of the door, pulled the little door pull "pocket". I've got the door panel almost all the way off. It's just hung up on the top. Seems like all the way across. I tried putting the window up and down to see if there was some type of binding but it didn't make any diferance.
Seems like it could be that I just need to use a little force to pop the panel up and free.
Just want to ask if that's what I need to do. Would rather not have to replace perfectly good door panels because I was banging on them like a dumbass.

Comments

  • wagodizzlewagodizzle Council Member and EDM expert
    they are clipped at the top, you just need to use some gentle force. start at one side and work towards the other, lifting as you go. after a point it will just pop off.
  • oilspotoilspot Wagonist
    Cool! would rather ask than break stuff!!!
  • oilspotoilspot Wagonist
    damn.... I posted this right before i blew the head gasket. over a year later now i'm back to trying to pull these panels.

    The screws are out etc. Holy shit this panel does not wanna pop loose. I really need to get both off so i can replace the lock tabs. I'm starting summer courses next week, and I've been told that if your shits not locked down on campus..... that it'll disappear.

    So, is it better to pull/ push up from the front, rear??? Oh yeah, it's the back doors if that makes any difference.
  • SiWagonSiWagon Council Member
    Did you take out 3 screws?
  • Eagle BeagleEagle Beagle familEE
    slip it out...


    nah...
    ...

    what about the screws...
    there are...


    lol
  • oilspotoilspot Wagonist
    SiWagon wrote:
    Did you take out 3 screws?
    was too busy yesterday. Double checked and yes all three screws are out.
    it's so damn tight that I'm afraid I'm gonna tear up the panel getting it loose.
  • oilspotoilspot Wagonist
    I worked on it yesterday for a while. the passenger side rear will not budge.

    I'm gonna try again today with a pitchfork, a hang grenade, and a gallon of gas!
  • SiWagonSiWagon Council Member
    wagodizzle is right.Lift up .Start at the rear & with the window down.When I did the front it was kind of hard.
  • doitdubdoitdub familEE
    As you pull out the bottom to clear the door handle, give it a nice, firm tap with your fist from the bottom and it should unclip itself from the top.
  • B-RadB-Rad Wagonist
    I had the same problem with my front passenger panel. I finally tilted the panel out from the bottom enough to get my hand all the way to the top inside (as far up as possible) and pushed right there. It popped off after a few strong pushes.

    I'm with you, I didn't want to break anything or tweak the panel by twisting and smacking it in other places.

    Good luck!
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