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Topic: Need help removing door skin in 1977

in Forum: C3 Interior

Need help removing door skin in 1977

Posted: 4/9/08 10:35am Message 1 of 11
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Toledo, OH - USA
Joined: 2/22/2007
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1977 auto.L48 383 stroker
I have a 1977 and need some good instruction on how to properly remove the door skin with out damaging it.  Any special clips or fasteners anywhere I need to be aware of so I don't break anything?  Thanks to all for you help, it is greatly appreciated!

Matt



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Need help removing door skin in 1977

Posted: 4/9/08 11:50am Message 2 of 11
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Horse Cave, KY - USA
Joined: 10/22/2007
Posts: 488
Vette(s): 1968 convertible; 1980 L-82
First and most important question is why do you have to remove the door skin?  FWIW:  I would leave it on.  It's almost impossible to get these off without breaking the fiberglass along the upper edge of the door.
 
 
You can probably work a putty knife or similar tool around the front, rear, and bottom sides and break the factory bonding compound, but expect a major PITA along the top side.
 
Smile 
 



Need help removing door skin in 1977

Posted: 4/9/08 5:29pm Message 3 of 11
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Victor, NY - USA
Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6841
Vette(s): 2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe
Did you mean you want to remove the interior part of the door?
 
Or the exterior fiberglass door skin ?



 
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Need help removing door skin in 1977

Posted: 4/10/08 7:26am Message 4 of 11
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Toledo, OH - USA
Joined: 2/22/2007
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1977 auto.L48 383 stroker
I meant removing the interior door panel.  I am having some electrical problems with the pwr. windows so I may need to remove the panels to get to the motors.  I am sure the panels have already been removed by previous owner and I am not worried about the bonding compound but I dont want to break anything else!  Thanks for the help!


Need help removing door skin in 1977

Posted: 4/10/08 8:30am Message 5 of 11
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Toledo, OH - USA
Joined: 2/22/2007
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1977 auto.L48 383 stroker
I am almost positive that the door skins have already been removed on both sides so I am not real worried about the bonding compound but I dont want to break anything!  I am having some electrical problems with pwr. windows so I may need to remove the skins to get a good look at the pwr. window motors.  Thanks for the insight and pic!


Need help removing door skin in 1977

Posted: 4/10/08 4:07pm Message 6 of 11
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
I am sure 6880mike thought you wanted to remove the outside fiberglass from your door, hence the talk about bonding. 

The door panel is held on by the obvious screws, including the door pulls.  There might be a control for a remote mirror that has a tiny little allen screw. Then the perimeter is held by velcro pads.  Just gently pry the door panel out to free the velcro grip, then lift the panel enough to clear the top of the metal door frame.  Wiggle and Jiggle until you clear everything else.  It is not hard, just frustrating getting past everything.

Larry



Need help removing door skin in 1977

Posted: 4/10/08 4:48pm Message 7 of 11
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

For clarity, the door skin is the outer panel of the body.

The door panel is the inner trim.
 
If you have manual locks, you need to use a removal tool to release the spring clips holding them, and the lock buttons, on.  The springs can be pulled out with a small hook if you don't have the tool.
There are two screws at the bottom corners of the door panel.  There are screws under the ends of the pull straps. Pop the trim off to expose them.  After that the panels will pull loose from the bottom and sides.  Now it's easier if the windows are rolled down.  Push in at the top of the panel, and lift upward to release the top of the panel from the door.
 
Now you have it in your hand and you can do what you need to do.  Bonding compound is not an issue.



Need help removing door skin in 1977

Posted: 4/10/08 4:48pm Message 8 of 11
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[QUOTE=VetteSpecialties]  Wiggle and Jiggle until you clear everything else.  It is not hard, just frustrating getting past everything.

Larry
[/QUOTE] Larry it would be kind more iteresting watching a "HeartfetchingHeart femaleHeart" do what you said above. I would gladly pay to watch that. I wonder if all Larrys are warped.........like OuchmeOuch...............gee, I hope not! From what I gather you're definitely not warped.


corvette440hp

Need help removing door skin in 1977

Posted: 4/11/08 11:07am Message 9 of 11
Former Member
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
After reading all the recent posts, I might have to change my name.  Maybe if I use Lawrence, I will sound more sophisticated.

I didn't think so either!
Larry



Need help removing door skin in 1977

Posted: 7/9/08 1:42am Message 10 of 11
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pacific grove, CA - USA
Joined: 5/13/2008
Posts: 39
Vette(s): 1978 coupe
My outer door handle broke itself. Cry

I need to get in and see what happened. What about the manual door lock mentioned above...does it have to come off to remove the door panel, and if so do you need the special tool? 


in Forum: C3 Interior


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