Good Doors Gone Bad...kind of...

[sml1000]

My drivers side door has a certain amount of "resistance" to opening and closing and it's getting progressively worse. No problems with latching/locking/unlocking...just opening and closing. I tried to remove the interior door panel to get at the mechanical parts of the door assembly but can't seem to get the panel off. I DID get the screws out (3 ea.) and wiggled the "push clips" out and got the panel to lift off the door frame (about an inch). But the area around the interior door latch/lock cup seems bolted in. I don't want to pull too hard on it and break something. So how can I get the interior of the panel off...then how do do I get the door assembly to loosen up? BTW, I've already tried WD-40 and a motorcycle chain lube on the hinges...didn't help. Any and all advise is greatly appreciated.

Last but not least, I need to give a great big "Thank You" to NJMAXSELTD (aka Tom) for his guidance and direction with a Check Engine Soon light. Replaced a coil and all seems well. Next time you're in Detroit I owe you beer!

Thanks All!
SmL

[Paonessa]

mine did the same thing. you gotta use grease. i just put it on the part of the hinge that slides and kept working the door back and forth and adding more grease til it loosened up. i'm sure there is a grease fitting in there but i was in the same position as you and didn't wanna force it.

[genix]

Try some grease+WD40 - Had same problem on my 98 maxima on both the passenger/driver side doors recently - took it to a mechanic who was helping out another friend of mine, and he slapped on some grease/wd40, and worked it in a bit. By the next day, there were no problems, and it was good as new.

[NJMAXSELTD]

Thats actually a common problem with Maxima's. The black slider is the coulprit. You can try grease on it to losen it up, but we usually just replace it when cars come into our shop complaining about it. It's an inexpensive part that Nissan usually has in stock. 4 bolts hold it in place, tow on the door, and two on the post.

[sml1000]

Thanks to all for your input. For those who suggest grease and/or WD-40....I've done that a few times and the problem still exists.

Tom you suggest replacing the black slider. I'll try it, couldn't hurt right. Only problem is - to get the slider bolts off the door how can I get the door panel off without damaging it? Do I need a special tool or a priest or what? Removing the few bolts I could find and then pulling on it didn't work. Please advise and I'll owe you another beer.

Thanks
SmL