I just removed two screws that hold the door handle on and another two to hold the metal piece where the latch is.

The door panel will not come off though. How is it sticking on? I tried to lightly run a screwdriver along the bottom to pry it off, but it will not come off.


Does anyone know exacly how to safely take the door panel off?

Thanks

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'89 420 SEL
'90 300 SEL
'84 300 SD (sold it)

Once you remove the latch trim and retainer screws for the door arm rest\handle. Remove the lock actuator button, remove trim around window switch, disconnect the courtesy light and then gently lift upward (NOT OUTWARD) until you feel the panel coming loose. Held on by right angle clips. Be careful, they break easily.

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Jeff Lawrence
1987 300e
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

thanks Jeff.

How do I remove the "lock actuator button"? what is that? also, how do i remove the trim around the window switch? with a screw driver? seems pretty snug.

also, it it easy to replace the sliding jaw?

i guess i am really stupid when it comes to removing this panel. i still do not know what to do after i removed those 4 screws as detailed above. How do i remove that stuff that you mentioned?

thanks

i am so frustrated , after reading 20 post, i still cannot get this panel off. can some one tell me how to get the things off so i can remove this panel.

so far, took 4 screws out. how do i remove the other stuff, i.e, actuator, switch, etc? :(

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'89 420 SEL
'90 300 SEL
'84 300 SD (sold it)

The lock button unscrews. The trim around the door handle and window switch usually unsnaps. There may be another screw behind the door handle trim that has to be removed, but I am not sure. The main problem is getting the panel to come loose when you lift up from the bottom. This can be a PITA.

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Jeff Lawrence
1987 300e
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

thanks jeff.


oh, you mean the lock knob, that is off too.

just do not know how to pop stuff off to get the panel off around the door handle. you said it just pops off. should i use a screw driver, bare hands? thanks

i tried to "pop" the black plastic off around the door opening handle and it won't easily pop off. i am afraid that i might bust the black plastic. how do you get the black plastic off? screwdriver?

From the bottom to the top.On the bottom,pop out the courtesy lamp & unplug it.Next is the door handle.I believe you already removed the two large screws holding the bottom of the handle, if not remove them now and then the trim ring at the latch which I think you also already removed.Now if you look carefully at the inner handle for the latch it should have a black plastic insert behind it.You have to pop this out with a small screwdriver or pick.After this you should see a small phillips head screw holding the handle trim on, remove it and pull the trim ring out slightly.Now you should be able to remove the window switch. You should also see a bolt or screw holding the top of the door handle to the door frame. remove this and the handle and trim ring should come off.Unscrew the door lock knob.There may be a leather covered trim piece above the door panel running up the back of the door(behind the window)held on by two small screws.If so remove it. I think thats all.Now try lifting the door panel up.Sometimes they are a little tight at the top where they are in the window felt.GOOD LUCK and hope this helps.

this did help, unbelievable on how difficult this is.

how do you remove the courtesy lamp?

to remove the lamp pry on it at either the front or the back with a small screwdriver.I can't remember which side it is but one side should give fairly easily.

thanks , appreciate help, still frustrated.

i have grey interior. when you talk about the latch, are you talking about the grey arm rest of the metal latch in the upper right hand corner (talking about rear drivers door when open.

the big question is the metal latch and window switch is surrounded by black plastic.

does this just pop out. the screw to get the arm rest is inside, but what about the black plastic. why is this so difficult?

picture this.

a horizontal rectangle.

on the left is an opening where the arm rest attached to. on the right is the chrome metal handle that opens the door.

to the left of the rectangle is the window switch.


this whole assembly is surrounded by black plastic that when pried with a screwdriver bends as if it will crack.

my window is stuck down and it might rain tommorow, uhhhhh!

if you look bekind the metal handle for the latch(upper right as you said)there is a small plastic insert that is separate from the ring around it. you have to insert a small screwdriver at the front and pry outwards.It should pop out easily.

As they said just behind the metal handle you pull to open the door, you will find a little black plastic piece. Just insert a little screwdriver on the edge of it and you will be able to pull it out. Once you pull it out you should find ONE screw left that is holding the door handle/armrest assembly on. Once the door handle/armrest assembly is off , you can run a screwdriver under the bottom of the door panel. By pulling the panel away form the door you can get an idea of just where all the fasteners are. This will allow you to use the screwdriver as a pry tool right near the fastener to prevent you from bending the panel and also breaking the clips. As Jeffsr said, then you can pull up and out.

Once you have it off, it will all fall into place real easy.

Good luck,


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FrankieZ
84 500SEL EURO 87K
85 300D 267K (and still goin' strong)