Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Sometimes the windows stop opening or closing in the car. Or the doorknob no longer opens the door. So it's time to remove the inner door panel.

Steps

1. 1 Open the door.
2. 2If there is a blockage at the top of the inner panel, remove it using a screwdriver.
3. 3 Find the doorknob. Pull it to see if there is a screw under the handle. Unscrew the screw and remove the hard plastic enclosure around the doorknob.
4. 4 Look under the armrest. You will find screws that secure the armrest to the door (sometimes these screws are found under plastic covers that can be removed with a flat screwdriver). Remove the screws. Remove the armrest. If you have electric windows, detach the wires attached to the armrest by squeezing the plastic edges of the inserts.
5. 5 Remove the power window handle (if your windows are not electric). Sometimes the screw is in the center of the handle under the decorative cover (old VW Beetle). Pry off the lid and unscrew. Occasionally, a retaining ring is found around the base of the handle. Use a flat screwdriver to remove the retaining ring from the window handle.
6. 6 Use a wide, flat trowel to pry the side of the panel away from the metal part of the door. The panel is attached to the metal part of the door using several plastic bushings that are attached to the inside of the cladding and fitted to the holes. Pull the bushings out of their mountings carefully, taking care not to damage the skin.
7. 7 Check for any screws left near the rearview mirror or on one side of the window sill (Audi). Remove the screws, if any.
8. 8 Remove the sill from the slots near the window and remove the door panel.
9. 9 Carefully remove the plastic from the door to reveal the area that needs to be repaired.

Tips

• Window parts can often be found on eBay.
• Some vehicles will require a Phillips screwdriver, others a hex wrench, and some require a screwdriver with removable nozzles.
• Remember to attach the plastic back. It's tempting to just hang it back up.
• Cars from different manufacturers are slightly different, so you may need to clarify some of the nuances yourself. Look for images on the Internet to see if they are there.

Warnings

• When ordering auto parts, make sure that you are ordering parts for the door you are working with: from the driver's side - the left side of the car. Passenger Side - Right Side (unless you are in a country with left-hand traffic).