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So I have been working this on and off for several weeks now, not every day because I would cause some damage if I did that. I cannot get it to fit any better than this. It feels/looks like it is down as far as it can go at the top where you hang it over. It's got to come down so that the lock spindle centers in that hole so that I can be sure the door handle fits properly. Just can't get it down any farther. Lot's of people use a hair dryer on these but don't know how that would help in this situation as there is very good gap all the way around the door as it is. I'm about to grind down the inside metal lip because I don't know what else to do with it. These seem very high quality and they are Al Knoch panels and the car is a '72 coupe. Any good advice gladly accepted! Happy Easter to you all.
Last edited by kansas123; Apr 3, 2021 at 04:41 PM.
My pictures don't show it (already dynamatted) and I can't remember but is there any adjustment on the door handle where you could move it up slightly since the panel seems to fit everywhere else?
I'd also check where the front clip goes and see if that looks like it is lining up
M
Were these panels ever installed on this car? How old are they? I’ve seen this same problem with Al Knoch panels though this was many years ago. I’m wondering if the panel isn’t sitting down because the fingers on the top of the door are getting hung up on the staples which fasten the top plate of the door panel. If the lock shaft doesn’t line up, the door handle will likely be off as well.
I believe that the staples are part of the problem. The staples are quite hardy, I managed to use a drift to flatten them down some, since that made some difference, it might be what the problem is altogether. The panels are new, never installed on this car, and I received them in early March this year. Had them inside the entire time I was not installing them, as the cold weather here would not make the job any easier....I'll check for door handle adjustment cuz if the lock spindle is out of place, so is the door handle mech and that's sorta important. ugh By the way, I did not 'commit' the panel yet; that is, when I got it on to the way it is, I checked the edges and it looks very good for minimal gaps; there was not sense in pushing the panel all the way on at that point as the up/down was not quite right yet.
Thanks for the ideas, I'll get on that this afternoon hopefully, if all the Easter eggs get found.....
Let us know what you find .
I have new Al Knoch door panels sitting in the box waiting to go on my 73.
Their customer service has always been great.
Before you go to far you might give them a call for some things to look for.
They don’t just sell their parts, they also install them.
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you need to take a heat gun to the plastic backing where the bend on the top is, soften it up (only takes a couple minutes) and put the door panel back on (while still sofen) and push down on the bend, it should take out some of the bend moving the lock hole down. (it will also make it fit better at the door edge too
I just did the CA door panels with plastic back, my lock was down enough but off center about 1/4" on right door, a little better on left. They turned but almost rubbed. A lot of massaging and hair dryer to everything to align. I will say that they have been on about a month and the temps are warming, they seem to be relaxing a little and have not moved.
I wound up dremeling the opening a little since the lock **** covers it and mine's a driver.
I also noticed the top was really hard to get onto the metal tabs of the door but once that was in place they stayed in place well, did not use the top 2 screws (did not want to make extra holes!), the 4 edge clips and the pull handle lined up good.
you need to take a heat gun to the plastic backing where the bend on the top is, soften it up (only takes a couple minutes) and put the door panel back on (while still sofen) and push down on the bend, it should take out some of the bend moving the lock hole down. (it will also make it fit better at the door edge too
what bend are you referring to? The portion which may make the panel sit away from the door on the bottom? If it’s an Al Knoch panel, the very top of the panel is a stamped steel plate which is stapled to the plastic backing. I don’t know how CA panels may be constructed.
what bend are you referring to? The portion which may make the panel sit away from the door on the bottom? If it’s an Al Knoch panel, the very top of the panel is a stamped steel plate which is stapled to the plastic backing. I don’t know how CA panels may be constructed.
Bingo, that's why I was wondering about using the hair dryer, could it still help form the top the way it needs to go to get the lock spindle to line up. I got tied up today so wasn't about to call Al Knoch about this, I might try the hair dryer and see if I can train the top enough to get the spindle to line up....
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Originally Posted by BBCorv70
what bend are you referring to? The portion which may make the panel sit away from the door on the bottom? If it’s an Al Knoch panel, the very top of the panel is a stamped steel plate which is stapled to the plastic backing. I don’t know how CA panels may be constructed.
Where the top edge of door panel bends over to go down above the wood insert panel
You remember that song by The Monkees? I'm singing it. "I'm a Believer"
Yep, I put the ole blow dryer on that upper flange and got closer; then I used it a little longer and by golly, it'sa gonna work! So now, after I get the the other things I need to do inside the door, I'll be doing the permanent install. Thanks again for all your responses and assistance.
I had an issue with CA door panels not fitting either. Tried and tried. Finally sent them back which is another story. At that time bought some NEW OE panels from GM/ Chevy. Popped right on!! They had the cardboard/ particle board backing. I coated them with poly first before installation.
I had an issue with CA door panels not fitting either. Tried and tried. Finally sent them back which is another story. At that time bought some NEW OE panels from GM/ Chevy. Popped right on!! They had the cardboard/ particle board backing. I coated them with poly first before installation.
Door panels have not been available from GM for quite some time. Was this quite some time ago? I have both vinyl backed and paper backed door panels from Al Knoch. Going to install the paper backed panels in a few months I hope. I’m told the paper backed panels are old stock.
Door panels have not been available from GM for quite some time. Was this quite some time ago? I have both vinyl backed and paper backed door panels from Al Knoch. Going to install the paper backed panels in a few months I hope. I’m told the paper backed panels are old stock.
I just ordered a set of door panels last year from Al Knoch.
I had the option to go vinyl backed or paper backed.
They told me there was no difference in the panels themselves, but the paper backed were oem, made more for NCRS judged cars and were easier to install.
I went with the paper backed because the easier to install caught my attention.
I just ordered a set of door panels last year from Al Knoch.
I had the option to go vinyl backed or paper backed.
They told me there was no difference in the panels themselves, but the paper backed were oem, made more for NCRS judged cars and were easier to install.
I went with the paper backed because the easier to install caught my attention.
well rsts, I didn't know there was a paper back option!!!
Door panel misfit
