removing door panels, so they might go back on Options

[Flat VW]

Hello Everyone, (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wavey.gif)

I have two doors (914 coupe, not the sedan (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) ) that now, each have unusable windows along with a passenger's outside door handle that is so tight it's gonna bust if I do not attend to it. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/unsure.gif)


I have read, and will use as a guideline the "classic" McMark thread titled "how to rebuild your doors". (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wub.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/pray.gif)


My first question is how to remove the door panels so they can be replaced without damage? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif)


Also I "assume" (you all know what that means) that perhaps I will need to replace both window regulators. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smash.gif)


I have read here that, perhaps, the "later model" window regulators are more robust. Will they "bolt-up" in my 72' car?


In used parts what year, (or years) are recommended?


In "new parts" whom would one recommend as a vendor?


PLEASE TAKE YOUR TIME IN RESPONDING AS IT IS TOO FINE A DAY HERE TO WASTE TAKING APART DOORS WHEN I COULD BE OUT "BACK-ROADING" INSTEAD OF HAVING THE CAR DIS-ASSEMBLED IN THE DRIVEWAY! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/driving.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/w00t.gif)

TIA,

John

[billswim]

Your car is a '72 right? Depending the production date, you could have early or late doors. And no the window regulators aren't interchangeable and neither is the glass(well the hardware on the glass, but there are subtle differences with the glass) The door panels are, the door pulls are but the regulators aren't. My suggestion would be to look to install the later doors complete, as they have the "Nader bar" for extra stiffness and the better regulator. The only good reason's I can come up with for using the early doors is for originality and if weight is of concern the earlier doors are significantly lighter.

Do you know how to tell the difference betwen the regulators?

[i love porsche]

now that im thinking about it....ive been having problems with the fit of my early model doors to the 74 roller....should they be able to bolt up?

(sorry for the hijack)

[Flat VW]

i love porsche (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/finger.gif) ,

THread Ripoff Humor (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/lol2.gif)


bill,

Weight is always a concern, I'm pedaling pretty hard now.

Yea, I am also trying to stay "stock" with this car.

Thanks to you both,

John

[Flat VW]

P.S. bill,

Nader,schmader, I grew up in Detroit, Michagan, that Nader fella don't cut much mustard with me. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/dry.gif)


John (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/w00t.gif)

[Rhodes71/914]

Removing the panels is pretty easy.

Drivers Door:

Small screw in window handle.

Small screw in door latch handle.

Allen head bolts (2) in arm rest.

small screws in bottom of the armrest storage. Can't remember how many.

Plastic push connectors around edge on all sides.

Passenger Door:

Pretty much the same except more allen head bolts in the armrest.

Think that's it, doing this from memory so don't hold me to it.

[Jeffs9146]

QUOTE

Removing the panels is pretty easy. Drivers Door: Small screw in window handle. Small screw in door latch handle. Allen head bolts (2) in arm rest. small screws in bottom of the armrest storage. Can't remember how many. Plastic push connectors around edge on all sides. Passenger Door: Pretty much the same except more allen head bolts in the armrest. Think that's it, doing this from memory so don't hold me to it.

AND push up on the whole pannel to disengage clips along the top.

Jeff

[Flat VW]

QUOTE (Rhodes71/914 @ Mar 12 2005, 02:55 PM)

Plastic push connectors around edge on all sides.

Thanks Rhodes,


Any method recommended on removing the "plastic push connectors" other than careful prying?

Those are the "Buggers that will bust",

Thanks,

John

[Flat VW]

QUOTE (Jeffs9146 @ Mar 12 2005, 03:01 PM)

QUOTE Removing the panels is pretty easy. Drivers Door: Small screw in window handle. Small screw in door latch handle. Allen head bolts (2) in arm rest. small screws in bottom of the armrest storage. Can't remember how many. Plastic push connectors around edge on all sides. Passenger Door: Pretty much the same except more allen head bolts in the armrest. Think that's it, doing this from memory so don't hold me to it. AND push up on the whole pannel to disengage clips along the top. Jeff

Thank you Jeff,

John

[Rhodes71/914]

Yes the clips on the top, I knew I would forget something.

Those plastics clips on the edge can be a pain and brittle of they are aged bad. I put newer panals on recently and those clips were pretty good, actually better than some of the newer cars I've had.

[markb]

QUOTE (i love porsche @ Mar 12 2005, 02:00 PM)

now that im thinking about it....ive been having problems with the fit of my early model doors to the 74 roller....should they be able to bolt up? (sorry for the hijack)

I found out recently that the rubber on the top is different for early & late cars. Try replacing the rubber that seals the window to the top with the early style & it should seal better. I don't know the cutoff date between early & late.

[rhodyguy]

if you need them the plastic clips and the little soft cups that press into the door first are available. instead of just pulling on the panel, slip a couple of putty knives on either side of the clips and pop them out. the old fiber backing can tear away, ruinning the holes and breaking the clips when you just pull on the panel.

k

[Flat VW]

Thanks Rhodyguy and markb,

John

[TravisNeff]

two flathead screwdrivers on either side of the plastic pins. Or you can buy a special door panel pliers, which is like a fork and they open when you pull the handles tight (opposite of clenching type pliers). Work around the bottom and front and rear sides of the door panel. Lift the panel out and upward to get it off at the window area. If'n you fudge up the plastic pins, they are available at most any flaps

[wilchek]

I have a full tech article I wrote for the tech section. How do I get it posted there. Here it is without the pics as they are way to big for the attachment size. I pulled the door to grease the very stiff window mechanism. Took me about an hour with taking pics and taking my time. I found that the one channel attached the door toward the bottom back was where all the issues were. Cleaned, greased and now it is smooth.

1.Started off with the 1973 passenger side door
2. Remove cover for the crank handle, carefully just pull the black cover off. I used a screw driver and GENTLY pried it off.
3.Remove the screw and the handle should come straight off , there is also a little trim ring that is behind the hand (left pic)
4. Them move to the door handle and remove the screw behind the handle. (red circle). Then remove the outer plastic piece.
5. Then move to under the armrest and remove the three screws (red circles)
6. Pull the screws out of the bottom and then slide the bottom part of the armrest forward. You can see the clips in the picture that hold the bottom part of the armrest to the top.
7. Then remove the bolt under the armrest that is still attached to the door. IMPORTANT:Only the left most bolt (on passenger side, right on driver side needs to be removed) The other two DO NOT need to be removed (see right pic below)
8. Then go to the top of the armrest handle and pull the cover off and remove the bolt behind the cover.
9. All the screws are now out. The next step, take your time with a putty knife or screwdriver and carefully pry the edge of the panel off. There are 12 clips attached to the door. Try and use your putty knife to get behind the plastic piece and the door and gently pry them out. You can see that some one previously was not careful and pulled the bottom left three clips out of my door panel. As I previously said make sure you are on door side when prying. That said, they came off easier than I expected.
10. Once all the clips are out of the door the bottom and sides should be loose. Just life the panel straight up. The panel is clipped to the three areas in redcircles in the picture.
11. Install in reverse. Make sure to put the plastic vapor barrier back on the door. I would recommend using some caulking to hold it in place and seal it up.