How do you remove exterior door trim?

rsmigel · Post by **rsmigel** » 28 Feb 2010, 12:38

What is the best method of removing the exterior door trim (door ding guard) on a 1994 850T wagon w/o damaging the door? I have new trim and obviously don't want to damage the sheet metal prying around.

Post by **billofdurham** » 28 Feb 2010, 12:50

Door trims: There is a screw in the rear inside edge of the door which holds the trim in place. Remove the screw and push the trim forward about 1cm. The easiest way to move the trim forward is to tap it with a block of wood.

The later trim is held in place by double sided tape.

Front wing (fender) trims: Carefully pry off with a steel putty knife with a piece of wood against the paintwork to protect it.

Bill.

Post by **tailor** » 28 Feb 2010, 14:43

I was going to say let one of your kids drive the car, it worked for me!

Below there are six pictures depicting my Volvo and the result of the car being a loaner

There is no double sided tape only clips. My model at least!!!
The front quarter panel has clips that just push in, these broke off and pushed all the other trim back. I have tried to connect the trim back on the car and have found that there are a few things that need to be considered.
1) The clips need to be on the trim and not the car.
2) Open the doors. All the clips except the last will be slid into place from the front of the door to the back. Before pushing in the last clip check the alignment of the trim in relation to the door opening and closing and the other trim. If it is out you will have concertina effect and the trim will pop off. Once in place the last clip, closest to the back of each door will be the last to be inserted or pushed into place. The doors need to be open.... once the trim is on you may have to
3) Get new clips all round
4) Work in a heated garage or wait until the weather gets kinder so the parts are not to rigid in cold weather.

To remove:

So in summation, either let your kid drive the car or gently pry off the rear section of the trim being careful not to bend the trim, and then slide the trim forward and it should come right out. Be prepared to break a few clips, you may also find that the clips come away from the trim and stay on the car.
+ 1 for putty knife and wood block.

Post by **erikv11** » 29 Jun 2012, 13:18

Just want to post this because someone bumped up this thread today:

Don't do any prying on the door trim like tailor advises. The proper way is to remove the screw then just slide it forward, it will fall right out and nothing will get damaged.

Post by **Ben850** » 29 Jun 2012, 19:21

erikv11 wrote:Just want to post this because someone bumped up this thread today:

Don't do any prying on the door trim like tailor advises. The proper way is to remove the screw then just slide it forward, it will fall right out and nothing will get damaged.

Yes, it seems he may not have been aware of the screws in the doors. I found out at a pick and pull, which is the only place to experiment before doing bad things to your own vehicle.
I changed the thin '93 alter 1 door moldings out for wider '96 pieces after changing to the alter 2 bumper.

Post by **rspi** » 28 Mar 2013, 20:20

Door trim removal video: