hey everyone I lost the keys to my 72 cutlass, I am trying to take off the drivers door panel so I can remove the lock to have some new keys made. The car has the remote mirror, looks like I have to remove this in order to get the panel off, how? Also once I get the panel removed how do I get the lock out? is it obvious once I get in there?

 

Why don't you just drive it down to a locksmith? They'll fit you keys on the spot. Either that or have one come to you. They do that mobile service, but for a fee of course. Much easier than taking the door panel apart, removing the lock and then reinstalling it.

 

I cant drive it I don't have the keys. Do you know how to remove the remote mirror?

 

There should be two screws that hold the bezel onto the door panel. Once those are removed it can come off with the remote **** still attached. There's a half moon sort of clip on the back, remove that and the bezel will slide over the ****. Then you can feed the cable and **** into the door and continue removing the panel.

Once its off there's a clip that holds the lock in the door. I just removed one of these and will see if I can get a picture for you.

John

 

OK, once you get the door panel off you'll see this lock with the U shaped clip holding it to the door. John

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You know - just a thought here. Why take off the drivers side panel when the passenger side panel is easier and you don't need to mess with a mirror removal? The lock on the passenger side is keyed the same as the drivers...just saying..

 

Huh? Sometimes we need to slow down and... just... think... about... it!

Yup, do the pass side and you only need to deal with the lock clip.

 

Yeah, it just hit me as I was reading through. Why get complex to solve a simple problem?

 

In 1972 was the same key for the doors used for the glove box.... If so, it would be easier to remove the glove box lock, which also should have the key code located on it if I not mistaken....

 

No, the glove box used the trunk key.

 

Thanks, you would know best, since I am not sure when GM switched and used the same key for doors, trunk, and glove box.... late 70's early 80's I would guess......

 

Um, yeah. I actually did remove the passenger side door panel and not the drivers side, just checking to see if everyone is paying attention. Yeah, that's my story. Thanks for the info.

 

Of course we're paying attention. That's our story and we're stickin to it too! Hope your re-key goes smoothly. Once upon a time all you'd need is the key punch outs and proof of ownership and the dealer would cut you new ones.

 

hey bud I just about have the panel off. Everything is removed but it is still attached up top. do I just tap it from underneath to dislodge it or is there something else holding it on. I do see a rubber weatherstrip at front of the door held on with what looks like two screws, do I have to take this off or just tap it from the bottom

 

Noooo, don't undo the screws. They hold the lower door weatherstripping.

To get the door panel off (remove the door lock **** first) simply lift it out. You should have the window down too. It may bind a bit at the top but a few good tugs from under each end will pop it up and over the inner door sheet metal. It might help if you hold the panel out from the door a bit when you tug upwards on it.

 

hey this thing is driving me crazy got about half of the top of the door panel, taking a breather. I am starting to wonder now if maybe my keys are in the trunk since I cannot find them anyplace. I know the glove comp key works the trunk so I thought maybe I can take the glove box lock off and have that keyed and then check the trunk. Problem of course is the box is locked, is there anyway to get it open with it locked, I know that sounds like a stupid question but I was just wondering.

 

Or you could just pop the rear seat out and take a look in there.

 

I get what's going on - you don't want to damage the panel. The upper panel has a steel formed reinforcement under it, so just give it a good upward tug. You can't really hurt it. If you're unsure? use a long flatblade to wiggle the rest of the top off where it's holding. Once it's off you'll see how it's been held.

Here's what it looks like on the drivers side, so just imagine this in reverse. See how that upper formed ridge snakes along the top? That's what's holding the top of the formed panel tight.

 

Thanks man, youre right I was little concerned about damaging it. Gonna give it another try tomorrow, thanks for your help.

 

I would recommend doing this.

 

Okay, so I got the top of the damn panel off there is still something holding it on, is the grab strap attached? are there screws under those little silver tabs on end, don't want to try to pry them off if they are not.

 

Is this a Cutlass Supreme?

 

yes

 

The Door pulls have a metal trim cap (looks like brushed steel surface and chrome sloping sides) on each end that is held by spring clips on the back. Usually they can be popped off with a thin flat blade. That will give you access to the large screws that hold it to the door metal. The door pull also has some flat screws that hold it to the backing strip on the back of the door panel. You don't need to undo the, but you should check to make sure they are still tight.

Your original post was for a Cutlass, not Cutlass Supreme. The lower trim cars do not have the pull straps.

 

thanks again.