removing a door panel, 71 cutlass

wcourt3010 · December 6th, 2011, 10:01 AM

Hi, two questions. how do i get the window handle off, thing won't budge and i don't want to break it.

2nd question. the top of the door panel seems to be glues to the door, just a thin strip of vinyl. is that correct or is it somehow being held in place, clips or clamp or something. want to remove both door panels completely. i can get the actual inside door handle off and the arm rest and can get all the clips undone, just window handle is stopping me from completely freeing it. my manual just says "remove it" no other clues.

many thanks

72 cutlass455 · December 6th, 2011, 10:27 AM

You need a door handle remover tool it is held on to the door by a c shaped spring. the panel should lift out after the handle is off be careful not to destroy or pull out the spring clips that hold the panel to the door frame. Good luck with it.

OldsManNJ · December 6th, 2011, 10:57 AM

Here's a pic to show the clip holding the window crank on. I use a screwdriver to push the edge of the clip from one side until it is cocked - the handle will come right off - if you don't want to buy the tool. Most auto parts stores sell the tool fyi.

http://www.focushacks.com/images/windowcrank.jpg

wcourt3010 · December 6th, 2011, 11:04 AM

thanks for the quick answers, guys. what about the top strip of the door panel itself. it seems to be glues to the actual door.

OldsManNJ · December 6th, 2011, 11:26 AM

It is not glued to the door - once you have the window crank off and all of the clips pulled out of the door (the ones that you must be careful to not rip out of the old panel) then you pull the bottom of the panel out away from the door and lift the whole panel up - the top of the panel has a bend in it which clips to the top of the door.

Pacecar · December 6th, 2011, 11:28 AM

If all the rubber weatherstrip is off the door, the panel should lift off. It does sort of clip on to the top of the doorframe. In the past, I try to get one side free at first by pulling out from the bottom of the panel, so that it is at an angle and then pushing up. once the front or rear is free, it is easier to get the other half. It takes a bit of a trick but it comes off. Pushing the door lock down with the **** removed helps too

Pacecar · December 6th, 2011, 11:32 AM

Sorry forgot to mention the clips holding the panel to the door. There is a tool for these as well that helps removing the panel without damaging the clips or the cardboard on the back of the panel. It looks like a forked bent screw driver.

Lady72nRob71 · December 6th, 2011, 11:47 AM

Having the window down will help in lifting the door panel top rail up, as the rail needs to be pushed in at the same time it is lifted.

wcourt3010 · December 6th, 2011, 12:06 PM

great, thanks again everyone. i already have the tool to get the clips along the side of the door free. Will look into that other tool to get the window handle off.

Cheers!

December 6th, 2011, 10:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
wcourt3010 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 30	removing a door panel, 71 cutlass Hi, two questions. how do i get the window handle off, thing won't budge and i don't want to break it. 2nd question. the top of the door panel seems to be glues to the door, just a thin strip of vinyl. is that correct or is it somehow being held in place, clips or clamp or something. want to remove both door panels completely. i can get the actual inside door handle off and the arm rest and can get all the clips undone, just window handle is stopping me from completely freeing it. my manual just says "remove it" no other clues. many thanks

December 6th, 2011, 10:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
OldsManNJ 1971 Cutlass S Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Cape May, NJ Posts: 179	Here's a pic to show the clip holding the window crank on. I use a screwdriver to push the edge of the clip from one side until it is cocked - the handle will come right off - if you don't want to buy the tool. Most auto parts stores sell the tool fyi. http://www.focushacks.com/images/windowcrank.jpg __________________ 1971 Cutlass S - My Current Daily Driver

December 6th, 2011, 11:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
OldsManNJ 1971 Cutlass S Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Cape May, NJ Posts: 179	It is not glued to the door - once you have the window crank off and all of the clips pulled out of the door (the ones that you must be careful to not rip out of the old panel) then you pull the bottom of the panel out away from the door and lift the whole panel up - the top of the panel has a bend in it which clips to the top of the door. __________________ 1971 Cutlass S - My Current Daily Driver

December 6th, 2011, 11:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
Lady72nRob71 Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 10,588	Having the window down will help in lifting the door panel top rail up, as the rail needs to be pushed in at the same time it is lifted. __________________ -Rob Young 1972 Cutlass Supreme Convertible- (442 clone) -"Lady" (My mistress...) http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsalbum/sets/ Lady's interior makeover Rally Pac stuff Front end job Underhood resto 1986 Cutlass Supreme Coupe - "Pristine" 1978 Furd Pinto (Old Faithful) a.k.a. "the Tramp" - in the family since new. 1997 Cadillac STS 1999 H arley-Davidson Sportster - "the Freedom Machine"

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December 6th, 2011, 10:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
72 cutlass455 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Colton Ca Posts: 682	You need a door handle remover tool it is held on to the door by a c shaped spring. the panel should lift out after the handle is off be careful not to destroy or pull out the spring clips that hold the panel to the door frame. Good luck with it.

December 6th, 2011, 11:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
wcourt3010 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 30	thanks for the quick answers, guys. what about the top strip of the door panel itself. it seems to be glues to the actual door.

December 6th, 2011, 11:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
Pacecar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 218	If all the rubber weatherstrip is off the door, the panel should lift off. It does sort of clip on to the top of the doorframe. In the past, I try to get one side free at first by pulling out from the bottom of the panel, so that it is at an angle and then pushing up. once the front or rear is free, it is easier to get the other half. It takes a bit of a trick but it comes off. Pushing the door lock down with the **** removed helps too

December 6th, 2011, 11:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
Pacecar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 218	Sorry forgot to mention the clips holding the panel to the door. There is a tool for these as well that helps removing the panel without damaging the clips or the cardboard on the back of the panel. It looks like a forked bent screw driver.

December 6th, 2011, 12:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
wcourt3010 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 30	great, thanks again everyone. i already have the tool to get the clips along the side of the door free. Will look into that other tool to get the window handle off. Cheers!

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