Door panel removal

[misterc]

We have a hymer & unable to open the passenger door from the inside. There are 2 small screws that have fallen off the locking mechanism. Cannot get access and need to remove the door panel. Does anyone have any advice as to how to remove the door panel. I have attached some photos of the door panel.

 

[TerryL]

Just a guess - is there a rubberised sealing strip around the edge that you can ease back and maybe find lots of small screws holding the panel on?

 

[misterc]

Hi TerrrL
Many thanks for your reply. There is no rubberised sealing strip around the door. It looks like there is a lip right around the plastic panel which is behind the door. I don’t want to prize this out in case I crack or damage the plastic. I wonder if there is a particular tool or a technique to remove this.
Thanks again for your help.

 

[PeteH]

I wonder if there is a particular tool or a technique to remove this.

There are tools (Plastic?) for sale online to remove car door panels/ Whether they will do what you want is not clear?.

For example?. http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=332777768331

 

[misterc]

Thanks PeteH
I’ll look for these tools & give them a try.
Cheers

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[NRM]

Do the 'lost' screws rattle in the door when you drive? If not can you leave them there and buy two more on the net?
Alternatively,assuming they are steel, use a small diameter rod/stick with a small magnet on the end and try fishing for them?

 

[misterc]

Thanks NRM
I have the screws , the trouble is I cannot replace them in the locking mechanism with the door panel in situ and that’s the bit I’m struggling with .... how do I remove the door panel to put the screws back.

 

[Mr David]

Try ringing Travel World, who are Hymer agents, and ask them how to remove the door panel.
I wanted to remove the hab door panel on my N+B and they explained exactly how to do it and then advised me not to do it myself. Needless to say I ignored the advice not to do it myself and removed the door panel successfully following the information given.
To remove mine you needed to remove all fixings from the door panel (which your photos seem to suggest you have done) then gently ease the panel out from the door edge metal frame. Work gently around the edge of the panel until it is full released. The edges of the panel can be quite sharp so be careful of your hands.
The above worked on my N+B and as they are part of the Hymer group the panels maybe be similar enough for the same technique work for you.
Good luck and watch your hands.

 

[Oldbob]

Think you will find they are held on with plastic push in fittings, you need to gently pry the panel off, start in one corner and work around, if they break as some do, they are cheap enough to buy at Halfords or car accessory shop, or even eBay do loads of them.
I use an old chisel slightly bent with a vee notch out of it, you can locate the offending popper, hook it and pry out.
It will all make sense once off for replacement.

 

[misterc]

Mr David, thanks for your help, we deal with travel world & we to find them helpful. It sounds like my door panel is similar to yours held in with the metal frame. I’ve ordered some plastic trim tools to see if I can remove the panel.....I’ll have a go at the weekend if the weather gets a bit warmer as this will help the plastic flex a little ....ps will watch my fingers. Thanks again

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[misterc]

Thanks Oldbob for your reply. Hopefully I’ll manage to remove the panel from the metal frame of the door...the tool kit will hopefully help & thanks again for your reply.

 

[Wombles]

The plastic tool sets do work well & handy for lots of other applications too - we have the Silverline version https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...tool-kit-£9-11-delivered.175132/#post-3678153

 

[misterc]

Cheers Wombles plan to buy the tools so hopefully will help.

 

[Mr David]

Screwfix also sell door trim removal tools, as a set. I didn't need to use them on my hab door but have used them, in the past, to remove the door panels on a coach built Fiat when fitting Proplates to protect the locking mechanism.