Loose door panels
Discussion
Whilst hard wiring the recently purchased radar detector and also trying to rectify an abortion of a "professional" stereo install (replaced 20 missing trim screws so far), I got looking at the door panels. I have noticed recently (particularly in hot weather) that the doors do not open/close properly without collision between the door trim and the rim seal - it felt like when opening the door that it was dropping ¼" but I had ignored it before now. It was also starting to wear the rim.
This weekend though I looked at it more thoroughly and it appears that the single 'firtree' fixing which clamps the panel in place above the locking mechanism was missing on the passenger side and broken on the drivers side. This allowed the panel to drop slightly (even though screwed at the bottom) and you could get your fingers in the gap it left. After trying a couple of panel clips that didn't work, figured the only way forward was to screw the panel to the door.
Cut up a small metal L shaped bracket left over from kitchen works, sprayed it matt black, removed door panel, drilled hole and fitted bracket. Replaced panel, got the wife to clamp it in position whilst drilling the panel hole. Screwed it in and held the panel perfectly.
The result? unobtrusive bracket you would hardly notice and guess what... now both doors shut and open without any problems - a job well done and cost nothing.
This weekend though I looked at it more thoroughly and it appears that the single 'firtree' fixing which clamps the panel in place above the locking mechanism was missing on the passenger side and broken on the drivers side. This allowed the panel to drop slightly (even though screwed at the bottom) and you could get your fingers in the gap it left. After trying a couple of panel clips that didn't work, figured the only way forward was to screw the panel to the door.
Cut up a small metal L shaped bracket left over from kitchen works, sprayed it matt black, removed door panel, drilled hole and fitted bracket. Replaced panel, got the wife to clamp it in position whilst drilling the panel hole. Screwed it in and held the panel perfectly.
The result? unobtrusive bracket you would hardly notice and guess what... now both doors shut and open without any problems - a job well done and cost nothing.
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