Removing door panel on '97 Venture

[balti25]

Sorry everyone, newbie here. Searched all the threads and I found the one about removing the panel on the '01, but it sounds a bit different than the one I'm working on. My bro-in-law busted his pass side mirror off, bought a new one and asked me for help to replace it, but can't get the damn panel off. Could someone please point me in the right direction? Thanks for the help.

[AJT1961]

I can tell you the procedure for a '99, which should be the same. (1) pry out the power window switch/ power door lock control panel and unplug the switches. If you do not have power windows, you must also remove the window crank by pulling out the clip. (2) very gently pry out the little curved bowl shaped piece of plastic trim from behind the inside door latch. (The clips holding this small piece of trim in place are very easy to break, in which case you'll have to epoxy it back in place). (3) remove the two bolts holding the door panel in place -- one is accessible through the hole where the switch panel was, and the other is right under the inside arm rest/handle. (4) The only thing left holding the door panel in place now are about 12 threaded plastic clips, which you just pry all around the edges of the door panel to dislodge from their holes. (It is important that you replace the clips with new ones, at the very least along the bottom of the door panel. If you don't, the door panel will later get hung up on the sill seal and pull itself out) The clips are inexpensive. That's about all there is to it. It's really much easier than it sounds.

[balti25]

Thanks AJT - I'll give it a shot and let you know....