podiatra

Hi,
My upper door panel trim is loose at the edge, closer to the door lock. It looks like is somewhat bend(maybe the heat from TX), the rest of it sit pretty well with the door panel. The trim is missing all the fasteners. The problem I have is that it vibrates when riding. Any suggestion how to keep the edge level with the door panel? Glue, 3m adhesive, fasteners, etc.?

Thanks in advanced!

GTA50

Been a little while since I last did this, but if I recall, there are some "washer type fasteners" that put the upper door trim into contact with the actual door panel trim. At least that is what was on my '88 GTA. Now as far as adhesives, Rapid-Fix has worked very well for me. I've also heard that Gorilla Glue is very effective.

Hope that helps.

Gary.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

You have to take off the door panel and see what is going on. Like GTA50 said, there are fasteners along the top. There is a good chance that someone removed the panels improperly and ripped the cardboard on the door panel where those fasteners are. If that is the case, you need to figure out how to repair the cardboard. I used epoxy, fiberglass and resin. If your door rails (the part that is sticking out on your door) are in good shape you should be able to reuse them. Just be careful removing the speed nuts that retain them to the door panel. The studs are going to want to break off the trim.

LHernandezJr

I agree that the first thing to do is to remove the door panel completely to determine exactly what the issue may be.

Chances are that if the panel is lose at the top, someone has had that panel off before and done so incorrectly, as 82tarecaro said.

You can reinsall it without fixing the top edge or even reinstalling the speed nuts, but you will need new snap fasteners for sure, these are the plastic pieces that are located around the edge of the door panel and are pressed into the frame. You can buy the right kind at any auto store (Auto Zone and Advance Auto Parts, for example. Even ACE Hardware may carry them). Suggest you have one of them as a sample, just in case. And you will need a bunch. I forget how many but it seemed that my doors (1984 T/A) took something like 10 fasteners each.

There is a special tool you can use to remove these fasteners without risking damaging the panel itself, but you can still remove them with a screwdriver or prybar. And you will also need to remove the plastic trim around the door handle and the armrest bolts. Not sure what else may be necessary for a 1991 but this is not the hardest job and once you get started, fairly easy to figure out.

If you decidide to do the repairs yourself, take some pics along the way and post them here along with your comments. This helps others who may run into a similar situation.

podiatra

Thanks for you all help. You all are correct. Somebody previously removed the panel and the trim incorrectly. Therefore, all "washer" fasteners in the upper door plastic trim are gone. Also, the "holes" in the door panel (ones that hook on the fasteners) are broken.

The trim sit well in most of the panel however, only the edge flairs up, and rattles. The rest of the fasteners(to hold the rest of the panel) are new.

Ruckusz28

iTrader: (3)

I had the same thing happen. It turned into quite a project.

Wound up replacing all weatherstripping, door handles, dynamatted the door and ordered new panels. Once I get my new panels in, I should have no reason to pull it off ever again.

podiatra

I may need to do that.