door panel install
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 776
Likes: 98
From: carroll ohio
door panel install
looks like it might thaw soon and i would like to get my door panels on right. when i quit last year because of the freeze i had the panels on but it seemed like the bottom part just stuck out too far. it seemed like i had to push on the bottom too hard to go against the door to get the fastners on. are there any tricks? this time i'll look to see if the panel is fully seated against the door frame. electric window door panel. 1971 coupe automatic small block. thanks
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: Flemington New Jersey
No trick. The "Velcro" closures on the bottom often get tired and no longer grab and hold. Replacements can be had easily.
If you really need to press it tight then they may have been some water damage that warped the fiber in the door panel itself.
If you really need to press it tight then they may have been some water damage that warped the fiber in the door panel itself.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Hope you don't mind if I ask a basic question here. I'm a recent owner. Previous owner did a great job of redoing the interior. One minor item that I've noticed is the driver door panel is loose in the upper left corner. The screw that fastens it to the door seems quite short and there is no retainer in the door to take the screw. Does this sound correct? Should there be some sort of plastic or nylon (or metal?) retainer to which the screw should fasten?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi BR,
The 2 screws in the upper corners of the door panel are self tapping screws.
It's pretty easy to strip the holes in the door they thread into so you may need to get screws that are one size larger.
The other option is to put a plastic drywall anchor into the existing hole and use the existing screw.
Regards,
Alan
The 2 screws in the upper corners of the door panel are self tapping screws.
It's pretty easy to strip the holes in the door they thread into so you may need to get screws that are one size larger.
The other option is to put a plastic drywall anchor into the existing hole and use the existing screw.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you have 'original' door panels and they were removed from the doors for any period of time, those panels likely became warped. The backing for those panels is a fiber material that will absorb moisture from the air; and it will droop from its own weight.
If you have new (foam-backed) panels, some of them come warped from the vendors. The most common 'root cause' for the panels sticking out at the bottom is that they are, or have become, warped.
If you have new (foam-backed) panels, some of them come warped from the vendors. The most common 'root cause' for the panels sticking out at the bottom is that they are, or have become, warped.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
There should be two clips at the bottom lower portion of the door panel. When you have the top installed, use a awe and guide the clip toward the hole in the door, then hold and insert the screw.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=24529
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=24529
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 776
Likes: 98
From: carroll ohio
door panels
thanks for all the replies. they are original and have been off a long time.i'll work on the bottom after i slide the top on.
There should be two clips at the bottom lower portion of the door panel. When you have the top installed, use a awe and guide the clip toward the hole in the door, then hold and insert the screw.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=24529
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=24529