re-installing door panel
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 24
From:
re-installing door panel
I removed the passenger-side door panel on my 91 coupe with relatively few problems. Now I'm trying to get it back on and it's driving me nuts. [:@]When I try to fit it over the lip at the top,the screws at the bottom of the panel don't match up.And it seems like something's blocking it - I can't get the 2 holes in the door pull pocket to match up. I'm wondering if anyone who's done this has some tips? Thanks much!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,567
From: eastern NC
RE: re-installing door panel
I think ya' gotta' hang the panel over the sill at the top first, and press downward along the upper edge to match up the screw holes.
Even then, the first time you close the door hard with the window halfway down, it's gonna' jam the panel.
You gotta' do the drill:
https://www.corvetteforums.com/m_38973/tm.htm
NOT LIKE THIS EBAYER DID WITH THIS '88 35TH...
Even then, the first time you close the door hard with the window halfway down, it's gonna' jam the panel.
You gotta' do the drill:
https://www.corvetteforums.com/m_38973/tm.htm
NOT LIKE THIS EBAYER DID WITH THIS '88 35TH...
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 24
From:
RE: re-installing door panel
Thanks for the tip!! I was able to get it back on pretty good the other night... it took *a lot* of patience and practice, but it looks good now. Sheesh, what a pain.
I'm not worried about the window when it's half-way down. Why? The window ain't workin'! (One of the reasons I took the panel off in the first place). I'm pretty sure it's the motor; fuse is ok... and switch contacts look ok, as far as I can tell. It's a 91 and the regulator is onethe good ones. Everything looks good, but there's absolutely no noise or movement when I press the window switch (from driver's side or passenger's side).
So, I may need to drill away when I buy a new passenger side window motor. I don't look forward to putting that panel back on, but at least I've had plenty of practice and some good tips now! By the way, what was the owner of that 88 thinkin? That car was beautiful, and there's that ugly silver screw stickin out like a sore thumb. Yikes.
I'm not worried about the window when it's half-way down. Why? The window ain't workin'! (One of the reasons I took the panel off in the first place). I'm pretty sure it's the motor; fuse is ok... and switch contacts look ok, as far as I can tell. It's a 91 and the regulator is onethe good ones. Everything looks good, but there's absolutely no noise or movement when I press the window switch (from driver's side or passenger's side).
So, I may need to drill away when I buy a new passenger side window motor. I don't look forward to putting that panel back on, but at least I've had plenty of practice and some good tips now! By the way, what was the owner of that 88 thinkin? That car was beautiful, and there's that ugly silver screw stickin out like a sore thumb. Yikes.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,567
From: eastern NC
RE: re-installing door panel
ORIGINAL: mattisano
what was the owner of that 88 thinkin? That car was beautiful, and there's that ugly silver screw stickin out like a sore thumb. Yikes.
what was the owner of that 88 thinkin? That car was beautiful, and there's that ugly silver screw stickin out like a sore thumb. Yikes.
I told him to get a black screw off the back of the computer in his office - he's a ebay dealer. 6 weeks later, I got a return email from him askin what I was talkin' about. I had to tell him which picture of about 25 before he even knew what I was talkin' about. I was seriously thinkin about droppin' a bid on that box, but I foundthe '94closer to home.
Them 2 ugly black screws in mine are holdin my panel tight as a drum for 6 months now. The sound of the door closin is a sweet song. Never heard that tune in my '87. If ya do the screw, make sure the top is on the sill, seated, and then make sure the panel is pulled snug to the door where the screws go into the tab. AND, ya gotta drill a pilot hole (something that's almost an extinct critter nowadays). If ya crack the fiberglass tab on the door, ya can't do the 'fix'.
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 13
From:
RE: re-installing door panel
Before you go thru the motor replacement grind, you might try repairing your motor. I pulled my lt. panel off last week-end - window worked when it felt like it - pulled out the regulator assy & took the cover off the motor - 4 screws - & checked out the brushes. Both corroded and the armature was glazed. Removed the armature (it unscrews off the motor), cleaned it up with some emery paper, hit the brushes wiith some PB Blaster while I was doing that. Then I used a small screwdriver to work the brushes up & down & cleaned off the corrosion, got the brushes moving smoothly again. Put a dab of grease on the screw portion of the armature & fit it back down into the motor ( you'll need that small driver to hold the brushes out of the way while doing this). Re-install the cover - make sure to mark the orig, orientation of the cover to the base ( if it goes on backwards, your window switch will work in reverse - ask me how I know!) Lube the regulator channels with some lithium grease, hook the switch up and see if she works! If so, pull the cover off again a bit to seal it to the base with some RVT to prevent corrosion in the future. My driver's window now works like a charm - pass side next. Good luck! 
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,567
From: eastern NC
RE: re-installing door panel
ORIGINAL: AlfaDog
Before you go thru the motor replacement grind, you might try repairing your motor. I pulled my lt. panel off last week-end - window worked when it felt like it - pulled out the regulator assy & took the cover off the motor - 4 screws - & checked out the brushes. Both corroded and the armature was glazed. Removed the armature (it unscrews off the motor), cleaned it up with some emery paper, hit the brushes wiith some PB Blaster while I was doing that. Then I used a small screwdriver to work the brushes up & down & cleaned off the corrosion, got the brushes moving smoothly again. Put a dab of grease on the screw portion of the armature & fit it back down into the motor ( you'll need that small driver to hold the brushes out of the way while doing this). Re-install the cover - make sure to mark the orig, orientation of the cover to the base ( if it goes on backwards, your window switch will work in reverse - ask me how I know!) Lube the regulator channels with some lithium grease, hook the switch up and see if she works! If so, pull the cover off again a bit to seal it to the base with some RVT to prevent corrosion in the future. My driver's window now works like a charm - pass side next. Good luck!
Before you go thru the motor replacement grind, you might try repairing your motor. I pulled my lt. panel off last week-end - window worked when it felt like it - pulled out the regulator assy & took the cover off the motor - 4 screws - & checked out the brushes. Both corroded and the armature was glazed. Removed the armature (it unscrews off the motor), cleaned it up with some emery paper, hit the brushes wiith some PB Blaster while I was doing that. Then I used a small screwdriver to work the brushes up & down & cleaned off the corrosion, got the brushes moving smoothly again. Put a dab of grease on the screw portion of the armature & fit it back down into the motor ( you'll need that small driver to hold the brushes out of the way while doing this). Re-install the cover - make sure to mark the orig, orientation of the cover to the base ( if it goes on backwards, your window switch will work in reverse - ask me how I know!) Lube the regulator channels with some lithium grease, hook the switch up and see if she works! If so, pull the cover off again a bit to seal it to the base with some RVT to prevent corrosion in the future. My driver's window now works like a charm - pass side next. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 24
From:
RE: re-installing door panel
It sounds like a LOT of work and fuss to fix the motor. A new one from Mid-America is about $70. Now, I'm not rich (especially considering the holidays are here), but I'm wondering if it's worth it. If I pull the *(*&!# door panel off again, I want to be sure I can get the window working. So, if I try to fix the motor and can't get it to work, then I'm gonna have to have to put the *(&$!@ door panel back on, then order a new motor and go through all that again. So, what do you all think? Is it worth it to try to fix it????
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8
RE: re-installing door panel
Buy the new motor and use all the parts from that. Did it myself on my '96 CE, well actually had a lot of help from Curious George but we got it working and didn't have to mess with those factory rivets. Make sure you mark the housing though and put it back in the correct way like AlphaDog mentioned just use the brushes and armature which are easily removed if done carefully (only held in place by a dab of silicone). Put the new bushings in place with some silicone load the new armature carefully, seal around the entire housing, and you will be water tight and ready to reassemble the entire door. Good Luck with that panel !