Help! How to rip off interior door panel...without breaking it!

5.0 Nostalgia said:

I need to replace my door handle. How can I remove the door panel on the car. I tried it one time on a parts car that I had. I was able to pop the plastic screws with a screwdriver (although I broke a couple) but could not get the top to budge because it lips over the top. Anybody able to help me out? I was liberal on the parts car cause I didn't care. I am a little more conservative this time because I don't want to bend the panel, rip the panel, break any screws, or damage anything. Thanks.

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Just steal the whole car, then take it off when you have time.

J/K.

The arm rest has 2 screws in there under 2 plastic caps then remove it. Take that off, unscrew the plastic triangle by the mirror. Dont forget the little bezel by the the door handle (the one to open the door from the inside). Then make sure that the handle doesnt get caught and push straight up. Should come loose with a little tug and some wiggleing.

The plastic screws can be bought from the help section of most parts stores for about $2.00 for 3 (more?) or from www.50resto.com if you like mail order.

Did you just pop the plastic rivots out or actually break them? They slide back into the panel, allowing them to be re-used, as long as you don't BREAK them.

Anyway, remember that there are two bolts on the armrest and the one screw on the door handle cup.

I'd order/get new plastic retainer pegs/pins when re-installing your panels. They are designed such that when the panel was installed, the fins are angled away from the hole so that when you get the right fit, the fins catch on the backside of the hole and provide a tight fit. Problem is, when you pull the panel out, those fins get chewed up and don't provide that same snug fit if re-used. I know this when I was doing some work on my rear hatch. The hatch has a plastic panel held down by 4 screws and about 6 of those pegs. When I reinstalled the panel re-using those pegs it never held right. I bit the bullet and re-ordered the pegs from 50resto and now it holds great.

You must be talking about different pegs, because when I ripped my panels off to make custom ones, I put them back on with the same pegs and it holds as if I never touched it.