Door Panel Snag
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 6
From: Palm PA
Door Panel Snag
My door repairs are coming along. The window regulators are fixed. I found inner seals for a 68. The door release and power locks are installed. Now the door panels. I got the basic door panels from Corvette America and the look is great but the fit leaves something to be desired. I'm trying to get the clips to lock and hold but they keep popping apart. It has been driving me crazy thinking I did something wrong. If I take a clip from the original panels and push it on the door it pops and locks strong. If I take the same clip and put it on the Corvette America panels they push on and pull off giving no holding power. So in conclusion the door panels are held on by 4 screws. The clips are useless and the panels don't fit close to the door. Just like the originals I took off. Is this a common problem? The panels look good but it is a shame they don't use good quality clips so the fit matches the look. Sorry for the long rant I've been working toooo long on the doors. 
68 Vetteman
68 Vetteman
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I'm not sure the locking plastic 'peg' pieces are compatible with the original units. You might have to drill off the old ones from your original panels and the new ones from the new panels....then pop-rivet the old ones on the new panels, so they will stick. Also, if there is a 'bow' in the new panels, you may want to set the panels out in the sun [back side out...good side down] and let them heat/soften a bit before you install them on the door.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,041
Likes: 505
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
You should not have to change the "velcro-snaps" on the car! Send them back. I know I am disgusted with the way almost all reproduction parts available now, do not fit right or do not look right, after redoing my 68 last summer.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 6
From: Palm PA
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I had similar problems when I ordered inside windshield pillar trim pieces. There were Corvette America pieces (purchased from another vendor) and the plastic clip pieces didn't even make contact with the ones on the pillar. The inner metal sub-frame was dead-straight; the OEM part has a natural curve. When I called C.A. about the problem, they weren't even aware that the part wasn't configured the same as the OEM parts...."Been selling them for years." was their response. Apparently, folks bought them, had problems with them, but didn't complain.
In the end, they didn't plan on making any changes to their processes. They said I could return the new parts, but then I wouldn't have any other source for a decent (appearing) replacement part. So, I did what most of us would do....modified it so that it would work. Nuf said....
In the end, they didn't plan on making any changes to their processes. They said I could return the new parts, but then I wouldn't have any other source for a decent (appearing) replacement part. So, I did what most of us would do....modified it so that it would work. Nuf said....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,041
Likes: 505
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
68vetteman, I would still return them after calling them, and telling them about your problem They sell door panels with the side trim installed, tell them that. They can still reuse them. 7T1vette, I had the same problem with my 68 pillar covers. Worse than that, the driver side hardly covers up the pillar when you look from the outside in. It looks like crap. I can so kick myself for tossing my originals when I moved here from Ohio. I could have had them recovered. Doesn't Mid America make their own pillar covers? Does anyone know?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 26
From: Ocean County NJ
I didn't see this thread when I responded to the video of the door panel Velcro issue. In my reply I mentioned my experience with the windshield pillars and then I saw this post where Loup68 had the same issue I had. Kind of comforting it wasn't me, but for the premium$ we pay for repro's wouldn't you expect a premium quality product?!
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Hey, they're the only 'act' in town and WE are the 'captive audience'.... 
They are not particularly customer-oriented nor concerned that much with Quality. So, we get whatever they are willing to sell us--until we finally decide to holler "ENOUGH"!!!
They are not particularly customer-oriented nor concerned that much with Quality. So, we get whatever they are willing to sell us--until we finally decide to holler "ENOUGH"!!!
Last edited by 7T1vette; Mar 23, 2012 at 10:37 PM.
