Installing new door panel-86
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Installing new door panel-86
I had no trouble putting the passenger side on but the driver side is giving me fits. I cannot get the holes in the armrest to line up with the slots on the door. No matter how hard I push it won't come close. I have been careful to make sure all the wiring harnesses are neatly tucked away. I don't know if I got a bad panel or is this a typical problem. Everything else on the panel fits perfectly, all the perimeter screws line up. Since it was so easy to do passenger side I am thinking something is wrong here. Any one else have similar problems, any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 496
Likes: 4
From: Cordova TN
I had no trouble putting the passenger side on but the driver side is giving me fits. I cannot get the holes in the armrest to line up with the slots on the door. No matter how hard I push it won't come close. I have been careful to make sure all the wiring harnesses are neatly tucked away. I don't know if I got a bad panel or is this a typical problem. Everything else on the panel fits perfectly, all the perimeter screws line up. Since it was so easy to do passenger side I am thinking something is wrong here. Any one else have similar problems, any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
I got them from wilcox, maybe I should call them. I have struggled for hours trying to fit the panel back in. Others have told me the drivers side is much harder to fit but I don't think it should be this hard.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
I took the panels off my 89. And too have the same problem. The two screws in the armrest cup don't line up with the white plastic nuts in the inner metal door skirt.
I'm thinking too its the wire harness. Anyone have pics of where the wires are supposed to go?
I'm thinking too its the wire harness. Anyone have pics of where the wires are supposed to go?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Yes the lock rod is in, I am trying all possible positions for all the wires. It is hard to see in there and to get a hand in there to move things around once you have the top of the panel caught on the edge of the door. I just need to get a couple people over and use some muscle, hopefully I won't break anything. I called Wilcox and they said they have never had a problem with a bad door panel and they don't replace them. I can put the old one on there so easily so I don't know what the deal is. Just keep trying I guess. Thanks for the help
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
Though, I believe I had read of someone talking about there being clips to hold the wires in place? I didn't see any on mine.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
I wish it were that obvious. I can't see any discernible difference. Only thing I can speculate on is that there is a difference in thickness around the door handle area but that is not visibly the case. I don't have a big set of calipers to measure with. It doesn't feel any thicker, holes all measure out the same. I will get it on there somehow I guess
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
I wish it were that obvious. I can't see any discernible difference. Only thing I can speculate on is that there is a difference in thickness around the door handle area but that is not visibly the case. I don't have a big set of calipers to measure with. It doesn't feel any thicker, holes all measure out the same. I will get it on there somehow I guess
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
I don't really know where all the wires go. As usual, I took it all apart thinking it would be a quick fix and now a month later I don't remember where everything goes. Some of the wires have plastic plugs on them that you push into the metal door but the reading light is the one thats killing me. I haven't messed with it in a few days but I am hoping trial and error and a few cocktails will get it done. Good luck, I will let you know if I have any major breakthrough techniques
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
I don't really know where all the wires go. As usual, I took it all apart thinking it would be a quick fix and now a month later I don't remember where everything goes. Some of the wires have plastic plugs on them that you push into the metal door but the reading light is the one thats killing me. I haven't messed with it in a few days but I am hoping trial and error and a few cocktails will get it done. Good luck, I will let you know if I have any major breakthrough techniques
I have the driver side in, but the light doesn't click and stays out. So, I'll have to pull it and redo it. May just wait as I had adjusted the window felt stops as the window had alot of play in it. And it ended up pulling up the tint when I was opening and closing the window. So, I'll have to get the driver window retinted.
