91 740 door panel removal

twlaub · Post by **twlaub** » 27 Aug 2006, 21:14

I've been searching this and other forums for door panel removal instructions for a 91 740. I know about the clips. My problem is the electric window switch. It seems to hold the panel in place and I don't know how to get it loose. I don't want to pry it up without some assurance that I won't break it.

Background is that both my passenger doors will not open from the outside. The outside hand lever sticks when you try and the door does not open. You can pry the lever back out with your finger. The doors will open from the inside and the lock appears to be working (pull knob goes up and down like it should). Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Tomca_ · Post by **Tomca_** » 31 Aug 2006, 04:57

Hello,

I'm sorry, I cannot help you, I am also just interested, because I have a similar problem: my door lock does not work correctly. I thought I have to clean the lock system, but I don't know how to remove the plastic part of the door.

You wrote something about clips. Are these clips the three white things at the bottom of the door? Where can I read about it, and how should I use them?

Thank you for your answer in advance,

Tamas

twlaub · Post by **twlaub** » 31 Aug 2006, 09:44

Tamas,

Yes the clips are the white things at the bottom of the door. The red door light also acts as a clip. The speaker grill also acts as a clip. The speaker grill is removed by sliding it toward the front of the car. The other clips, including the red light just pull out. In the door handle there is a platic piece with a slot. This is a twist lock--turn it 90 degrees to remove. If you have electric windows then I'm told (on another forum) you just pry the window switch up. I haven't tried this yet but will this weekend. After all these items are removed you should be able to lift the plastic panel up and out of the window slot (door lock knob removed).

I can't find where I read about door panel removal before. That is why I posted this question to start. Hope this helps.

LaRy · Post by **LaRy** » 31 Aug 2006, 12:16

If the design is the same as in 1986 model, I have something to add. You should twist the plastic piece 90 degrees as described by twlaub. This will make it possible to lift up the whole handle "box" straight up. Before that, the door opening knop must also be removed.

Tomca_ · Post by **Tomca_** » 01 Sep 2006, 07:56

Hello,

After your explanation, I began to investigate for door removal with your keywords, and I found a good page. I don't know, if you have found already this one:
http://www.swedishbricks.net/700900FAQ/Body-Doors1.html

Here I could read the following:
You may have a vertical door handle and there may be two screws behind the fake leather panel on the door handle. Then you need to turn the plastic screw at the bottom of the door handle "cup" 1/4 turn and lift out the whole "cup", levering it carefully past the carpet or leather insert. The p/w switches will come loose at the same time. Unscrew the lock knob. Pull out on the bottom of the door panel and push upwards. Installation is the reverse.

Tamas

Tomca_ · Post by **Tomca_** » 04 Sep 2006, 06:26

Hello twlaub,

could you remove the plastic cover of the door at weekend? I could! It was exactly the same way, as you told. Some more info: when you removed all the clips and twisted the black plastic circle in the door handle, pull down the door lock knob and gently lift up the whole plastic part, because there are metal clips at the top of the plastic, grabbing the window part. The electric switch can be pulled out easily. The loudspeaker has a very strong magnet and it always sticks to the iron part of the car, so be careful with it. Pull down the connectors of the loudspeaker and then you can put down the plastic part without tearing any wires. It is impossible to mix up the loudspeaker wires, because they have different size connectors. When you try to put back the plastc cover, pull up the door-lock knob, otherwise it does not want to go back into it's hole. Be careful, if you want to use WD40, because there are rubber covered parts under the plastic and WD40 can damage rubber.

Tamas