Having a real hard time trying to take off the upper door plastics. I can't see or feel what is holding the damn things on. I don't want to break any clips or anything but I can't get them off.

Anyone got detailed instructions or photos as to getting this off intact?

Any help would be appreciated.

BTW, I'm parting out an 89 z28 in Bloomfield NJ 07003 if anyone needs any parts.

 

You'll have to remove the door panels. The plastic pieces are attached to them with plastic studs and self-cutting nuts.

JamesC

 

im pretty sure when you get all of the door panels clips loose the plastic just slides out try pulling it toward the rear of the car

 

They're attached. Check the following links for a bit more info:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...-problems.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...k-plastic.html

JamesC

 

I guess my real problem is that I can't see the nuts. I have the door panels off but don't see the inverted nuts that you're talking about. Should they be visible as soon as the panel is off or are they hidden?

I know I must be overlooking something very obvious. Any pics?

Thanks for the quick responses.

 

When I took those top trim pieces off...you press down at the windows and pull up the by the bottom and they should come off. I did not take the door panel off. I broke two clips but that was because I forced it.

 

Perhaps there are two different versions. On my 85, the plastic pieces in question are bolted to the door panel from the back side (and you don't have to hunt for them). The pieces can't be removed without removing the door panel--or breaking the heck out of things.

JamesC

 

which plastic are we talking about here? Are we talking about the plastic with the rubber that sits at the bottom of the door glass aka the belt mouldings???

That comment about the thing sliding back kinda confuses me thats why. This is what i found out to do.

Take off all the trim on the door panel, liek the armrest, the power door lock button and plastics and what not

Then use the door panel removing tool to remove the door panel clips. get all of them and you can easily move the door panel and it will only be held by the plastic piece on the top.

Once you do that, push the plastic vertically down, and then push out. So push down (the direction the window goes down, and then push away from the inside of the car.

Once you push out, try to lift up. This is because the clips attach to the metal framework of the door. If the panel gets stuck, just try again till it works. You'll get it eventually and you will not break anything!

 

What you're suggesting, 1989, removes the door panel (and the black plastic peice) from the door. The plastic peice is held to the door panel as discussed above. Good luck, Magisnyc.

JamesC

 

from what i see every comment has been right... it just depends on what each person is talking about. some people are talking about the plastic near the weather stripping on the body and others are talking about the actual door. i agree with both.

 

To clear things up, I'm talking about the plastic piece at the top of the door that has the window fuzzies attached to it. It looks as if it fits over the 'cardboard' door panel. My door panels are off so I don't know how/if they were attached to it.

 

yup those are the ones I was talking about. They are attached to the cardboard by holes and fasteners, problem is that the holes/cardboard can break if you are not careful when removing.

 

ok here are a few pics as to why you have to squeeze the plastic starting from one end and working your way down. there are just premolded clips four actually holding them on and they look like this

 

that plus they dont always come off easy. So sometimes you gotta use the palm of your hand and give it a firm hit.

 

here is the other door panel not being careful cardboard off door plastic on

 

Yeah, I see that a lot. I sometimes go to junkyards and try to save the good plastic pieces from junked 3rd gens. The panels are usually trashed, so I just tear them off the flimsy cardboard. I was actually thinking of just cutting off the tabs so that they can just lift up easily, but I'm not sure if that'll have any effect on it especially when the windows go up and down. If it breaks off the panel though, I imagine you could just put the panel on and then put the plastic piece on.


hmmm just came to thought, but has anybody made custom panels out of thin but stronger plywood to look like a thirdgen panel?

 

i as you have seen have the fisher molded panels and i am currently thinking about how i can make new ones because these ones don't sit flat. real PITA trying to find ones in good shape but i got these form the junkyard to replace the grey ones i had. see pics. if anyone has ideas on making custom ones other than of course fiberglass... then lets hear huh.

 

ahhh you have the deluxe panels. Not sure about those as I have the flat panels, so i imagine the deluxe ones would be harder to replicate than the flat ones.

I've seen some interior shops do some great things, but that looks liek it might be rather hard to replicate. I'm sure they can do it though but it'll probably cost some real $$$. I'm sure theres a way to replicate them at home though, somehow.

 

I was just about to post pics of the molded clips but I see Imapaler68 beat me to it. Those pics pretty much answer the problem most people have taking off the panels.

Thanks to everyone who responded.

 

In the following pic, along the edge of the door and between the two felt guides (one of which I'm pointing at), you can see one of the four mounting points for the clips:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...tion-guide.jpg

Jamesc

 

when I pulled mine off, once I got the door panel itself loose, I had to slide the top plastic piece toward the front of the car to get the clips loose from the door. The passenger side came right off but I spent like half an hour trying to finagle the drivers side one loose. The key for me was pushing forward (Toward the front of the car) and in (Toward the window) and then finally up once I got it semi-loose.

 

The easiest way I have ever round to remove door panels ( including the upper trim ) is this:

Open the window ----> all the way,

Open the door as far as possible,

Separate the panel from the door by pulling out the plastic clips around the entire perimeter

** Watch out for ( or remove ) the top clip from each side of the door panel. Many times it will fall back into it's hole while trying the next step.

Place index finger under the upper door trim at the front of the door trim.Use this finger / hand to push and pull the door panel along the inside edge of the door while holding constant pressure IN & UP. Use your other hand to push on the door trim panel in the area between the door opening and the middle of the door. You should be pushing as to open the door as far open as possible. Push on an inward & then upwards angle.

At first there will be very little movement. Just keep trying to slide the panel back and forth along the top inside edge of the door. ( The edge that the panel clips fit into. )


The idea here is that sliding the door panel back and forth will help release the door panel trim's clips -- so they don't get stuck while simply applying on way pressure. You should also be trying to turn the upper door trim to a good angle (inward and upward ) to help the process along.

There are 2 clips holding the upper panel in place so if it lifts a little and doesn't become free right away - don't get rough with it. Figure out where the other clip is based on where the panel is still "seated" push in and then up in that area while continuing to slide the panel front and back with your other hand.


These things break pretty easy under the wrong kind of force so study the pictures posted on this tread and take your time. With the advise passed along by other members and the pictures included in this thread - everyone should be able to get their panels off without a problem !