Anyone split upper/lower door panels?

[mikez71]

I'm worried I won't be able to re-attach securely..

 

[Big Mama]

What are you trying to get to? Get some clips from your parts store or Amazon as you’ll most likely brake one. If you use plastic trim tools , annd go slow, under $10 at HF you’ll be ok.

 

[mikez71]

I'm wondering if it's worth taking the upper half of my old door panel because it's in better shape.

There are 7 screws, but a lot of melted plastic that holds the panels together also. No screws on the ends.

Was thinking maybe hot glue between panels, but maybe I should leave good enough alone..

 

[Blackcar]

I'm wondering if it's worth taking the upper half of my old door panel because it's in better shape.

There are 7 screws, but a lot of melted plastic that holds the panels together also. No screws on the ends.
View attachment 471201

Was thinking maybe hot glue between panels, but maybe I should leave good enough alone..

Sometimes you can take razor blade and cut top part of melted plastic there will be a boss with small hole left that you could use to thread small screw with washer to reattack panels. Be Careful to use small enough screw so as not to go thru panel.

If you look real closely so of the melted bosses won't need to be removed to get part you need separated.

 

[Big Mama]

The screw is a great idea. If you’re going to use glue use an epoxy or something like Gorilla glue vs hot glue

 

[mikez71]

Half of the standoffs are too short for a screw there..
Basically the front 6 and maybe 1 at lower rear.. Not as bad as I thought!
The very front is covered by the dash, so some screws or even a nut/bolt through the panels wouldn't be terrible (absolute worst case..)

That broken rear/upper clip has a long enough standoff, and I WAS planning to print a new clip holder and screw that in, but not if I swap uppers.
(Old upper still has clip holder epoxied together)

I feel confident enough now, thanks for all the suggestions!

Any more ideas, send 'em, otherwise I'll update when I get around to doing..

 

[kbuskill]

Half of the standoffs are too short for a screw there..
Basically the front 6 and maybe 1 at lower rear.. Not as bad as I thought!
The very front is covered by the dash, so some screws or even a nut/bolt through the panels wouldn't be terrible (absolute worst case..)

That broken rear/upper clip has a long enough standoff, and I WAS planning to print a new clip holder and screw that in, but not if I swap uppers.
(Old upper still has clip holder epoxied together)

I feel confident enough now, thanks for all the suggestions!

Any more ideas, send 'em, otherwise I'll update when I get around to doing..

Just curious why you are trying to swap parts of your panel out?

 

[Doubeleive]

drill & rivet, unless you have a nice plastic welding tool

 

[mikez71]

Just curious why you are trying to swap parts of your panel out?

I bought some '07-09 panels for the stronger handle and without the bulge, but the upper is in worse shape than my '12.
You can see the nicks along the top edge in my photo.

They're not terrible, so I probably shouldn't spend the time with all the other maintenance needed...

drill & rivet, unless you have a nice plastic welding tool

Hoping to keep it completely stock looking, but I did consider a rivet on that back edge or end of dash area.

The middle will be screwed securely. Panels are clipped to inner door skin, and they can only pull out so far as the metal bracket flexes..
So now I don't think there's much stress at all! I am hoping hot glue in the holes will be plenty strong.. Maybe some silicone in between or on inside edge?

Plastic welding sounds good, but I'm avoiding that purchase.. (If my new dash EVER cracks, I'm putting an aluminum shelf there..)

 

[Doubeleive]

I don't think hot glue will hold up, but can't say for sure