2001 MGM PS Door Panel Removal?

[boom3]

I need to remove the PS door panel to replace the PS outside mirror. Anybody know how I do this?
TIA!

[fredjacksonsan]

If it's the same as earlier models, there should be some screws at or near the bottom edge of the door. If no screws, you'll have speed nuts (plastic push in fasteners that snap into the bottom edge). Unscrew the screws or carefully unsnap the speed nuts (you may need to buy new speednuts if you're not careful)

-edit- speed nuts may go 1/2 way up either side of the door.

Once you've removed them, check around the door handle and elbow rest; there will likely be more screws there, and you may even have to take out the screw holding the door handle itself.

Once all the mounting screws/speed nuts have been removed, you should be able to gently lift the door panel up. It has a lip that holds it at the top, and moving it up gently you'll be able to see where it catches and disengage it. At this point you'll want to reach behind the door panel to disconnect the electrical connections for the window/lock controls, it's likely a plastic connector. Once that's disconnected you should be able to move the panel away. Then you've got the plastic sheeting inside the door, try to save that if you can.

Hope this helps. Re-assembly is tougher than disassembly, you'll have to get everything lined up right. Good luck with the job.

[boom3]

Thanks!

[fredjacksonsan]

Welcome.

[6502dude]

If you put a 3" to 4" putty knife on each side of plastic "speed screws" (between door panel & door) you should be able to pull them out without destorying them or tearing up cardboard slots they fit in.

Make sure vapour barrier is well taped back in place when reassembling, to keep drafts minimized, and to protect cardboard on door panel from water damage.

[boom3]

Thanks to all for the advice...after considering what I was told and looking over the door panel, I decided to take it to the dealership. For about $90 they put it on. However the decorative color-keyed cap on the outside of the mirror is supposed to pop off the old and pop on the new mirror. Welll...some person at the factory shot silicone seal into the sockets where the cap and mirror shell meet. The dealer tech couldn't remove it without destroying it so I had to buy another cap for $30. The stock caps aren't painted so that will be another $50. Sigh... still glad I took in...some jobs this fool will rush into, and some I just won't...

[fredjacksonsan]

I wouldn't have paid the dealer for something they broke.

[boom3]

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

I wouldn't have paid the dealer for something they broke.

They didn't break it. They stopped when they realized it couldn't be removed without destroying it, for which I'm grateful. I'd rather have a tech take the conservative approach. "Firstly, do no harm".

[fredjacksonsan]

Good that your mechanic is honest about that. Seems like a bad design. Ah well, it's fixed!!