[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

6 series door panel

>>>>>

Has anybody removed a door panel from an '88  635csi?  It doesn't seem as 
straight forword as other vehicles, and it would be MUCH more expensive to 
fix if I did anything wrong.  I need to change the latch spring mechanism 
because it failed.

<<<<<

I've done it on my 85 635CSi.  I don't think they made any major
changes in the interior during those years.  It's been a while
since I did this so my memory might not be exact but here goes:

It's difficult to damage anything is you don't apply large
amounts of force to anything.

Its quite easy to remove the door panel.  There is a top trim
piece that is held in by one screw in the door frame near the
hinge.  This piece slides into the aluminium trim piece at the
bottom of the window in a channel.  Pull it away from the door
panel as opposed to up.  In other words, don't pull it toward
the top of the window, just pull it towards the interior of the
car.

The panel itself is held in with the normal plactic door panel
anchors.  Start at the bottom of the panel and just pry it away
from the metal frame with a large screw driver or putty knife
(being careful not to scratch the paint).  As you apply some
force, they should suddenly let go with a "pop" and come loose. 
Don't worry as they will go right back in by inserting them back
into the holes they came out of and pressing.  It works best to
pry each anchor up as close to the anchor a possible.  This
relieves most of the strain on the fiber board door panel.

You need to remove the trim piece around the door latch.  It
slides away from the door panel and toward the latch end of the
door.  Gently pull the edge closest to the door latch away from
the door panel while sliding the whole thing toward the door
latch.  My memory is a little foggy on this point, it might go
the other way (toward the hinges).  If it doesn't move fairly
easily one way, try the other.

Remove the arm rest by pulling out the electric mirror switch
(if this is the driver's door, or the plascic cover on the
passenger's door).  It just pulls out away from the door panel
and slightly upward.  Disconnect the switch from the wiring.

There is a large screw inside the opening the switch was in that
holds the top of the arm rest in place.  Remove that.

Open the storage compartment cover and near the top edge of
that, you will see some screws (2, I think, but maybe 3).  Remove
these and you should then be able to remove the entire arm rest
and map pocket assembly.  The bottom of the assembly is held to
the door panel with the "snaps" mentioned earlier.

That's about all, then just go around the perimeter of the door
panel prying it away from the metal.  The whole thing should
come off.  If it is not loose somewhere other than the
perimeter, check for another screw near the attached spot.

Try to keep from shredding the plastic liner under the door
panel.  It does a good job of keeping drafts out of the car. 
Just peel away what you need to get at the door latch.

BTW, if it is just the spring that is broken in the latch, don't
go to the dealer and buy a new latch (about $75 when I checked). 
You can get a replacement spring at the local hardware store. 
Just take the old one with you and they can get you a
replacement for about $.50.  It doesn't have to match exactly in
diameter or length (althought the length shouldn't be much
longer than the original).

It might sound imposing but it's really not very hard to do. 
Take your time you shouldn't have any trouble.


Don Mies