How To Pull Door Panels?

June 23, 2006, 10:28:14 AM

I have to fix an electric door lock on my 88 Cougar. Everybody here was great in telling me what to look for and how to fix it but I never got a good idea of how to pull the door panels. I only see 4 screws - 2 at the door latch and 2 at the closing strap. Is that all there is? And if it is, how do I pull it without breaking something?

I'm still waiting for my shop manuals to come in to avoid asking questions like these. Thanks.

How To Pull Door Panels?

Reply #1 – June 23, 2006, 11:33:51 AM

There are a few more screws. The four you mentioned have to come out. There is also one on the side of the door panel just behind the lock plunger. There should also be one hidden in the carpet in the lower left corner on driver's side and lower right corner if you're looking at the passenger's side. Next you have to pull straight up on the armrest pad to take it off and there is another screw hidden behind it that you must remove.

After that, check around the bottom of the panel to make sure there aren't anymore screws hiding in the carpet. Some cars have them. Mine does not. Then the panel pulls off. It is held on by a lot of quick fasteners that are all around the inside edge. There is a special tool made to pull these out of the holes in the door, but if you do not have that tool then you can get them out with a pair of thin pliers or wire strippers or a fairly large flathead screwdriver if you don't have anything else. The key is to pull the fasteners out of the door and don't let them pull out of the panel and remain in the door.

You have to kind of maneuver the panel around the door handle. Sometimes it helps to pull the handle so you have more room behind it. Then you will have to disconnect your lock button from the wiring harness. You will see a plug there that you can pull with a flathead screwdriver. FINALLY the panel should come off and you can set it aside. There will be a plastic moisture/sound deadening sheet glued to the door that you'll have to take off as well.

I think I've covered everything. I'm sure someone else will chime in if there is something I have forgotten.

How To Pull Door Panels?

Reply #2 – June 23, 2006, 12:10:55 PM

Thanks, Jim. I have a lot better idea of what I'll be looking at/for now.

How To Pull Door Panels?

Reply #3 – June 23, 2006, 02:06:24 PM

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention is that, once you get all the fasteners undone, you have to lift up on the panel and then pull out.

How To Pull Door Panels?

Reply #4 – June 24, 2006, 08:29:06 AM

Thanks again, Jim. Got it off with no problem. Started another thread concerning the actuator door mount. I believe my mount has broken bits.