Arm rest on driver door
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 545
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
It never ceases to amaze me how the same problem happens to so many others! Mine started "undoing" itself about a year ago - I just cant bring myself to pay the $500-$700 for a new door panel! But I cant really see anyway around the fix other than replacing. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 898
Likes: 25
From: Dallas, TX
I had a thought on this one...havent tried it
I wonder if you remove the panel and make a small hole from the back and then inject some kind of upholstery glue with a syringe or skinny tube of some kind. Then press the plether into shape and hold it there with say a tightly rolled towel and some pressure.
What do ya think? I guess making the hole would be the dangerous part to not go thru the plether skin.
I wonder if you remove the panel and make a small hole from the back and then inject some kind of upholstery glue with a syringe or skinny tube of some kind. Then press the plether into shape and hold it there with say a tightly rolled towel and some pressure.
What do ya think? I guess making the hole would be the dangerous part to not go thru the plether skin.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 545
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
I had a thought on this one...havent tried it
I wonder if you remove the panel and make a small hole from the back and then inject some kind of upholstery glue with a syringe or skinny tube of some kind. Then press the plether into shape and hold it there with say a tightly rolled towel and some pressure.
What do ya think? I guess making the hole would be the dangerous part to not go thru the plether skin.
I wonder if you remove the panel and make a small hole from the back and then inject some kind of upholstery glue with a syringe or skinny tube of some kind. Then press the plether into shape and hold it there with say a tightly rolled towel and some pressure.
What do ya think? I guess making the hole would be the dangerous part to not go thru the plether skin.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 898
Likes: 25
From: Dallas, TX
Yeah even Ecklers wants $679 each!! Id say if you get to the point where its bad enough, I'd look for a parts car...
Problem is, how long until your in the same boat with a used replacement. I'll try this one day after it really gets bad. The worse it gets, the less likely to hit the plether since it pulls farther away. You could use a dremel with a depth gauge to poke a small hole. Maybe you could use a spray contact cement. I think you would have to seal the hole with some silicone to keep moisture out.
If you could get past the first step, I think it would work. It couldn't be too much worse unless you pop thru the other side.
Problem is, how long until your in the same boat with a used replacement. I'll try this one day after it really gets bad. The worse it gets, the less likely to hit the plether since it pulls farther away. You could use a dremel with a depth gauge to poke a small hole. Maybe you could use a spray contact cement. I think you would have to seal the hole with some silicone to keep moisture out.
If you could get past the first step, I think it would work. It couldn't be too much worse unless you pop thru the other side.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
Hi all,
Thanks for the replies and ideas. Wonder how it is held on to begin with, when newly manufactured.....Gotta be some sort of glue/adhesive. It's prob mounted on door panel frame with a weighted bladder to provide necessary pressure & mold into the shape of the panel frame. Hmmm, guess I gotta get the ol' thinking cap on. Dayum, I hate these dumb little probs.
Steve
Thanks for the replies and ideas. Wonder how it is held on to begin with, when newly manufactured.....Gotta be some sort of glue/adhesive. It's prob mounted on door panel frame with a weighted bladder to provide necessary pressure & mold into the shape of the panel frame. Hmmm, guess I gotta get the ol' thinking cap on. Dayum, I hate these dumb little probs.
Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
The fix is to remove the plastic skin and recover it with real leather like one forum member did.
I think they are right that just injecting glue will not solve the problem. It is like the covering shrinks over time, and above the arm rest is the first place that pulls away from the backing. If it is like a headliner with a foam layer, you would have to remove all the deteriorated foam before the glue will do any good.
I think they are right that just injecting glue will not solve the problem. It is like the covering shrinks over time, and above the arm rest is the first place that pulls away from the backing. If it is like a headliner with a foam layer, you would have to remove all the deteriorated foam before the glue will do any good.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 898
Likes: 25
From: Dallas, TX
Yeah, that's probably right on the foam deal. I'd try it anyway if I had committed to recovering with something else. But I'm cheap that way, if it held I'd leave it until it pulled away again and then do it right. Let us know what you decide.
