92 metro door panel removal?

[Gene H]

I'm trying to remove the inner door panel from a 92 metro 2 door hatchback. I have everything loose except I can't get the plastic trim off of the door latch lever. All I can get loose is the front part of it. The part at the lever pivot point (back end) won't come loose. Can anyone explan how this trim piece comes off without breaking it. Your help is appreciated.

[RossT]

Originally Posted by Gene H

I'm trying to remove the inner door panel from a 92 metro 2 door hatchback. I have everything loose except I can't get the plastic trim off of the door latch lever. All I can get loose is the front part of it. The part at the lever pivot point (back end) won't come loose. Can anyone explan how this trim piece comes off without breaking it. Your help is appreciated.

After you remove the outer trim ring, you remove the one screw on the center bottom between the handle and the door trim. Then the whole handle
just slides forward/backward to remove or install. You may have to force it some to get it to slide about 1/4 to 1/3 of inch then it pulls twards you.

[RossT]

Here is a link to some pics that I took of the door handles.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ighlight=RossT

[Gene H]

Thanks for the reply Ross T. How does the outer trim ring come off? That's the part I can't get off. When I pulled the front part away from the panel I see two plastic legs about midway on the top and bottom and they protrude into the panel. But it is still stuck tight around the back (hinge) part of the lever. The photos are not at the link anymore.

[RossT]

I use a thin tool with an angle to it, like a dental pic. I can't remeber the procedure off hand, but I have a some extra out rings and will look at them when I get home from work. I will post back. If you break one, I can send a spare out to you.

[Gene H]

Do you have a picture of the back side of the outer trim ring. Once I see what is on the back side, that will help me figure out how it comes off.

[RossT]

Originally Posted by Gene H

Do you have a picture of the back side of the outer trim ring. Once I see what is on the back side, that will help me figure out how it comes off.

I can take a pic if you want. There are 4 attachment points that attach the outer ring to the door handle. Two on top and two on the bottom. You only need to release either the top or the bottom two to remove the outer ring.
unclipping the top two is the easiest. The door handle has "pegs" that stick up about 1/16-1/4 on an inch. The outer ring has a flat plastic piece with a hole in the middle. The flat part on the outer ring slides over the peg and it snaps into the hole (in the middle of the flat part). Take a small tool with and just hold the flat part up and pull the handle toward you. Do this for the top two and out it comes.

[Gene H]

Thanks Ross T. Your help is appreciated. I got it off without breaking it. Once I got it off, it became quite obvious that the 90 degree dental pick would do the trick. Sure wish the manuals would explain this better. Makes me wonder how many have been broken over the years by people just forcing them off.

[RossT]

Originally Posted by Gene H

Thanks Ross T. Your help is appreciated. I got it off without breaking it. Once I got it off, it became quite obvious that the 90 degree dental pick would do the trick. Sure wish the manuals would explain this better. Makes me wonder how many have been broken over the years by people just forcing them off.

Glad it worked, While the panel is off, make sure you cleand and lube the window regulator etc..