Door Panel Removal

[89LSC]

My passenger side window seems to be off its track, it'll go down a ways but won't come back up. The motor seems good it seems like it just slips when it trys to come back up. Any ideas on how I can get this panel off? Also, where can I obtain new window seals? Mine are all cracked so they squeal when you put the window up or down and they are uncomforatable to rest your arm on.

[Lost Boy]

If I remember right those window seals are worth their weight in gold. Quite a few guys used seals off T-bird and Cougars because they couldn't find the 7s. Maybe someone else knows about this one?

What panel are you talking about? The door panel itself is held on by screws hidden under the metal trim piece, under that piece and hidden by the speaker grill and maybe one in the carpet up front and one on the side near the latch(my 90 doesn't have the screw by the latch or carpet but i have seen a 89 with both). The panel is held in place by push pins(~20 of them). Pull the pins out of the door and pull the panel over the handle, worst part, and set it aside. pull the speaker assembly and pull pins for the foam SD, then you have a bare door and can work from there. Seriously it took me more time to write this then to pull the panel. Other than that I know of no other panel in the door.

Look at the front of the door for the window motor and guides.

hope that helps

[89LSC]

Lost Boy, the panel that I am talking about is the one (or more) that I need to remove in order to get access to the window track. I was at the junkyard today, 1 Mark VII that was totally burnt up on the inside, and I saw all those pushpins on the door. They look pretty flimsy and I was worried that they might get stripped/broken while taking them out.

[Lost Boy]

Some of the fins do break, but they usually still hold well. My cougar had less pins then the 7 and it held fine. I bought extra pins at the ford dealer( cheaper than aftermarket!!! amazing!) for a couple dollars but have only used 3 or 4 out of 10. I pull the pins out with the panel, use the claw part of a hammer if any stick. Follow what I said and you're good. The metal trim is around the checkered cloth insert. Pull the trim and screws and that will come out. Just pop the grill off and pull the screws under that. The panel should have a little play in it now. Pop the pins and it should pull off(disconnect the wires too). I have done it many times and 35+ orginal push pins are fine, so don't worry. The only bad part is pulling the door panel over the door handle. I swear it looks horrable...but haven't broken the door panel yet.


BTY lock the door so it is easier to get the panel over the lock.

[Charlie]

Lost Boy, If I remember right after he gets the little plastic pins out, and gets it worked off the door handel don't you kinda have to lift it up to unhook it off the top of the door?

[LSC4ME]

The gears in the window motor are plastic and do wear out.This may be your problem.I thought I heard about a rebuild kit for them awhile back.

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1991 Lincoln LSC Special Edition(Black Beauty)
1990 Cougar LS 3.8 (Damn head gaskets!!)
1988 Chevy K1500 Ext Cab Longbed
"IF IT AIN'T RWD I AIN'T DRIVIN'IT"

[Lost Boy]

Charlie,
yeah you do, but pushing out of that hanger always happened, to me that is, when I went to get the panel over the door lock. Went I pushed the back over the lock it would push the rest of the panel out with it or at least most of the way, so I assumed that everyone has that happen. But you are right, one has to push up a bit to get the panel off the hanger and over the door lock. Thanks

[pro-five-oh]

You also have to disconnect the little light bulb from the lens in the door panel, but I guess that's pretty obvious http://www.lincolnsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif

You can get a door trim removal tool at a parts store and it is a big help! The key is to be gentle, just pull on one corner (once you take out all the screws) and the leverage of the panel itself will pull 1st pin out. Then just stick your hand/hooked tool under the panel and move around until you find next pin and repeat.

I have pulled my door panels off about 10x, and I still use the original pins...they are not perfect but they still lock into the door. I lose more of 'em than I ever break!

Like LSC4ME said, I bet the plastic gears in the motor are failing. The dealer has a rebuild kit ($40?) but I think places like Pep Boys can special order it too.

[DAN 86BB&89LSC]

Or, if you can hear the motor and the window doesn't work all the time, there are three plastic pieces about the size of pig pencil erasers in the housing attached to the motor. I took the cover plate off and saw they were crushed. I went to the JY and they wanted 60 bones for a used window motor. I said I'll deal without. When I bought my parts car I took out the driver side motor(drilling), removed the plate, wiped away the grease, and the pieces were fine. I put them in the pass side window motor and it works great. IF you can get one off at the JY pull the plate and if good, pocket the pieces. http://www.lincolnsonline.com/ubb/eek.gif Come on now everyone, don't act shocked, I'm sure there are a few members who have small car parts fall into thier coverall pockets. http://www.lincolnsonline.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[pro-five-oh]

Come on now everyone, don't act shocked, I'm sure there are a few members who have small car parts fall into thier coverall pockets.

Why I never! http://www.lincolnsonline.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

NOT! http://www.lincolnsonline.com/ubb/wink.gif

Since I always buy SOMETHING from the yards and they get to make a profit off of me, I don't mind if a few badges fall into my pockets. Besides, many of these cars are cool enough to be in a museum (esp those Ford Fox bodys) and crushing them is an injustice!

You guys ever saw a 1978 (?) Buick LeSabre PALM BEACH edition? It was a factory package and I have the badges to prove it. http://www.lincolnsonline.com/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by pro-five-oh (edited May 14, 2001).]

[Guido]

Uuhhhh no sir, that isn't a camshaft in my pocket!!!