Loose Door Panel Again
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Warren NJ
Loose Door Panel Again
Hey,Steel Blue 91, thanks for that post by 94 Vette. It sounds like he nailed this problem. I still have some questions: which leg of the L bracket is vertical? the 1" or the 1/2"? , which way does the L point? inside or outside? , After you bend it, what the heck do you attatch it to. Like I said in my earlier post there is nothing there but an almost flat surface on the door panel top edge. I feel like I'm really close but I just can't finish it out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 177
From: Houston, Texas FEAR THE BONES
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Re: Loose Door Panel Again (94 Red Roadster)
94,
The bracket I used is 1" long by 1/2" wide on each end, so it doesn't matter which way you put it on -- both sides of the "L" are identical. There are several 10mm screws that run the length of the door frame on the top. Choose 2 screws to secuire your "L" brackets -- I used the ones that hold the felt-covered window rub brackets. Just unscrew the screws, place an "L" bracket on top of the hole, and reattach the screw. Screw them on with the open part of the "L" facing the inside of the car, i.e. if you are sitting in the car (drivers side), the "L" will go like you would write it on paper. Now, once they are on, SLIGHTLY bend the "L" towards the inside of the car (1 or 2 light whacks with a hammer is all). The door panel itself has a lip on it -- the top of the panel bends over on the inside. There are no special parts or attachment points on the door panel, as it was designed to fit over the tiny raised edge of the door frame that runs the length of the door frame. Just place the door panel on top of the "L" brackets (coming at it from above the door, working the panel over the door frame), line up the edges and the screw holes, and it will be held by the curved top part of the door panel.
[Modified by 94vette, 1:41 PM 9/16/2003]
The bracket I used is 1" long by 1/2" wide on each end, so it doesn't matter which way you put it on -- both sides of the "L" are identical. There are several 10mm screws that run the length of the door frame on the top. Choose 2 screws to secuire your "L" brackets -- I used the ones that hold the felt-covered window rub brackets. Just unscrew the screws, place an "L" bracket on top of the hole, and reattach the screw. Screw them on with the open part of the "L" facing the inside of the car, i.e. if you are sitting in the car (drivers side), the "L" will go like you would write it on paper. Now, once they are on, SLIGHTLY bend the "L" towards the inside of the car (1 or 2 light whacks with a hammer is all). The door panel itself has a lip on it -- the top of the panel bends over on the inside. There are no special parts or attachment points on the door panel, as it was designed to fit over the tiny raised edge of the door frame that runs the length of the door frame. Just place the door panel on top of the "L" brackets (coming at it from above the door, working the panel over the door frame), line up the edges and the screw holes, and it will be held by the curved top part of the door panel.
[Modified by 94vette, 1:41 PM 9/16/2003]
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
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Re: Loose Door Panel Again (94vette)
I have a similar issue with the driver's door on my '88 Vette.
So far I've had to use some Epoxy on the back side of the door panel as it was split in several places. Also I used some black RTV to attach the bottom carpet to to the panel just below the leather insert.
I too bought some "L" brackets (1" on each L & 1/2" wide) but decided to see if repairing the panel would do the job. I just installed the panel and indeed it still won't stay in place, so I'm going to pull it again and use the trick with two of the "L" brackets to provide a higher "rail" to keep the panel in place.
This looks like it will be a great C4 tech tip for a lot of Vette owners.
So far I've had to use some Epoxy on the back side of the door panel as it was split in several places. Also I used some black RTV to attach the bottom carpet to to the panel just below the leather insert.
I too bought some "L" brackets (1" on each L & 1/2" wide) but decided to see if repairing the panel would do the job. I just installed the panel and indeed it still won't stay in place, so I'm going to pull it again and use the trick with two of the "L" brackets to provide a higher "rail" to keep the panel in place.
This looks like it will be a great C4 tech tip for a lot of Vette owners.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 177
From: Houston, Texas FEAR THE BONES
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Re: Loose Door Panel Again (65Z01)
This looks like it will be a great C4 tech tip for a lot of Vette owners.
