It all started with needing to replace the gasket on my passenger side door lock cylinder and it turned into a major overhaul of both doors. In a "nutshell" here is what I did (same for both doors):

* Removed door panel. Cleaned surfaces and all assorted chrome trim and bezels.
* Re-glued lower carpet trim (part of deluxe interior option). Previous owner did a crappy job with installation.
* Removed inner door handle mechanism and locking rods. Cleaned and re-greased.
* Cleaned and re-greased interior lock mechanisms. This wasn't fun!
* Installed new anti-rattle grommets on locking rods.
* Adjusted anti-rattle pads for the windows.
* Installed new gaskets for outer door handles.
* Installed new gaskets for lock sylinders.
* Replaced rear door window weatherstripping (vertical piece on lock pillar).

Doors now look awesome! Open and close with ease. No more door rattle when closing, sounds solid now!! And I finally don't have a gap between my window and the weatherstripping! It was a major PITA, but well worth the effort.

Don't hesitate to "yell" at me if you have any questions or you want to try this yourself.

Hay Mark. You want to come over my house and do mine, now that you are an expert. I know it would be a bit of a drive, but the beer is on me. I really need to do mine. They sound like theres a few pieces loose when I close it. I guess I'll get to them after I'm done redoing the seats, putting on LT1 valve covers, rebuliding my AC/heat controler, put my ignition shielding back on, changing the oil, tune up....etc etc. Ah the fun of having a Vette.

|UPDATED|2/11/02 8:53:58 PM|/UPDATED|

Tony,
I wish you were close by! I'd love to help you work on that beautiful '71 convertible!! Awesome looking Corvette you have there!

Actually, one thing that I didn't mention that might be part of your problem. When I took the inspection plate off and looked inside the lower part of the door, I found 2 washers and an old lock cylinder clip in the passenger door, and 2 large screws (??) in the driver's door. This had to be part of the rattling I heard when driving and when closing the doors.
Mark

|UPDATED|2/11/02 9:09:37 PM|/UPDATED|

I am in the process right now! I have power windows and when i removed the lower inspection plate it seems there is a wire just hanging there any clue as to what it is for?
Mick

Replaced my door panels last year. One suggestion for you folks who have power windows, disconnect and spray the electrical connections with an electrical spray cleaner and then shoot some WD40 on them. This will save you some headaches later on. Those door panels look like they are easy to install but I had a rough time with them. I don't want to take them off and reinstall them if I don't have too...

Mick,
All the wires on mine were connected. Does it look like it is part of the bundle going to the PW motor? Do you have an Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) for your year Corvette? The AIM should show you wiring for your PW circuit. What color is the wire? Any chance you could take a digital picture and post it?
Mark

Mark,
looks like its black and yes its part of the bundle comimg in and has a clip on the end.
2 wires go to pw motor this one just hanging.

Mick,
I just looked at my AIM and for my '72, there is only two wires to the PW motor. The color coding on my '72 is:
* Driver's Door - Solid brown and solid blue.
* Passenger's Door - Brown stripe and blue stripe.

I don't know if this is the same for the '69 model. Maybe someone else here has a '69 AIM and can look for you.

Good luck!!

How hard is it to adjust the anti-rattle pad for the manual windows on my 77,the windows can move to and fro about half inch,also what holds the door panels on,mine has ugly screws and washers!!?

Mark:

I need to do the same on my '69, but I also need to realign the glass so that it fits better in the front and top channels in the weatherstripping. Did you do any adjusting of the glass and how hard was it?

Thanks,

Jim