Door Panels

New 12/01/2004

One complaint I have always had since the test-drive of my '97 was that the interior front door panels are loose. When I bought the car, I assumed that the clips were broken or re-used too many times, so just the screw in the door handle was holding the panel in place. When I replaced the front speakers, I found the problem.

Upon inspection and disassembly, I found that the "C" shaped pocket that holds the LARGE door clip on the lock side of the door (the side that swings open) is shattered, so even though the clip is in good shape, there is nothing to anchor it to the door panel. The other side is exactly the same. Incidentally, apparently one of the front speakers had blown before and was replaced with a standard SLO speaker (smaller magnet, no "premium" stamp on the back.) This is standard FoMoCo replacement policy AFAIK.

My question is this:

Can this be repaired, short of replacing the door panel? Adhesive doesn't seem like it will do the trick. Even composite repair ( i.e. glass/resin), of which I am an expert, doesn't seem to fit this task. Has anyone had any luck curing such a problem? I may end up searching the junkyard(s) for better panels. I wouldn't mind having the '96 door panels anyway.

Thanks,
Dan Carman
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What is the difference between 96 - 97?? My panels (96) are loose too. The screw from the arm rest is very loose. I haven't done any digging yet to see if its stripped or what. Too cold now.
Dave M
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No lights on the panel after '96, just reflectors.

Dan Carman
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Yes, but IIRC the wiring harness is different in 96 and the 97 one I have.
The door I got was a 97 and it does not have the lead that plugs in by the power mirror for the door light. They run the lead down the door panel behind the insulation and the sound deadening to the light.
Clare
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I believe the difference in wiring is for PATS.
If you got a door off of a SLO, then the wiring will be different
unless the SLO was equipped with JBL (or Mach) and had PATS.
Scott
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The PATS wiring goes right to the back of the key cylinder.
just has a ring terminal and goes over the end of the lock.
Only car I have ever seen that on with out a lighted lock cylinder.

Clare
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I'm keeping the door itself, just replacing the interior panel.

Dan

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