[Kim]

I am looking for some words of experience here as much as words of wisdom. I have a rattle in my passenger side door panel somewhere. Not sure where exactly but it drives me nuts (although I might have been nuts anyway). I am afraid to have the door panel removed only for fear that 14 year old plastic attachment parts will break and not be easily replaced. Does anyone have any experience with this? Are the reattachment parts readily available if they are needed?

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[Darryl]

Kim,



I've had both doors apart multiple times to fix the lock pop-up button, do my stereo install and lube the window mechanisms. It's not a horrible thing to do but you do need to go slow. There are lots of screws and using an actual upholstry pulling tool can be helpful although I don't have one and it wasn't necessary.



The clips and screws are available from most of the regular parts places on line and the pop up on eBay as well.



It will be fun to see what's causing the noise. It always makes me smile when I find something that's easy to fix, but at the same time, makes me wonder how in the world did it get like that in the first place.



- Darryl

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[SILVY968]

Kim,



There are about a million things in there that can rattle. When the panel is off you should be able to see what is loose. My rattle was the black metal piece that holds the wing window glass. It attaches at the base of the door with a nut that was loose on my passenger door. You may have a rattle due to the plastic piece that holds the speaker to the door, the piece mounts on plastic standoffs that break at the base.

There is a great write up on replacing door handle gaskets that I used to pull my door panels off. Look for it with the search function.



Brian

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[Anchorman]

Kim - while I understand the trepidation (I felt the same way before I removed the door panel the first time, and before I removed the steering wheel the first time, and before I removed the dash board the first time...), this is not a job to fear. And, since there are many possible sources of a rattle, it's also not a job that can be avoided. As said above, just go slow, noting what comes from where. Reassembly can be slightly tricky, particularly with the three large screws that hold the armrest in place, but there's no particular mechanical skill needed to accomplish panel removal and replacement. As Nike says - JUST DO IT!!

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[Kim]

And as Arnold the Governator says "I will do it!".

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[Anchorman]

Excellent. Once all of the screws and fasteners are removed/released, the entire door panel has to be raised so that it lifts off the edge of the door frame and over the door lock button. The upward-angled part of the arm rest should be used for as your handhold this purpose - and also because the inside part of that armrest goes into an opening in the door from which it also must be raised - all is accomplished at one time. Don't forget the Phillips screw that holds the plastic piece that is kind of behind to door handle release. The handle does not get removed, so the screw can be a little tricky - but it's certainly doable. Let us know how you do - or if you need further guidance.

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