Loose Drivers Side Door Panel

J

joemark8

Registered
The door panel on my 98 Mark is a little loose at the lock button area. The dealer says that the "J" clips are broken that holds the panel to the frame and I need a new panel. He said he could put a screw through my door panel and that would hold it tight to the door. I said STOP there. Any other ideas from Lincoln Land
Joe
 
Good call on not letting them put extra screws in your car! As far as I can tell, these cars were created perfectly at the factory and need nothing else (except maybe a supercharger!).

If the door panel is loose where the power door lock button is (as opposed to the little 'button' plunger at the rear top edge of the panel, you may want to make sure that the bolt under the interior grab handle/armrest is installed and tight.

The door panels on a 1997 or 1998 do not use clips of any kind; all the stuff that holds the door panel to the door is part of the panel (except for a screw and a bolt).

Perhaps one of the molded-to-the-back-of-the-panel attachment points is broken. There are door-panel removal instructions on this site - take the damn thing off and have a look at it. You can find adhesives that do a great job of repairing this stuff.

If you don't know how to work on door panels, just proceed carefully; you will know how to work on them when you are done!

Ron
 
Loose Door Panel

Loose Door Panel

Perhaps I didn't describe the situation correctly. The panel is loose at the "plunger" door lock towards the rear of the door- not at the door lock button on the handle. Any other solutions for this loose panel? Appreciated.
Joe
 
Most likely the "J" hooks are broken from an improper door panel removal at some point and time. The dealer was right, the only "real" fix would be to replace the panel, other than that, you can check and make sure the screw inside the lower rear door panel light is still in place. If its missing, find another REALLY long screw to replace it, if its there, than you'll have to put some of your own screws in.

Double check and make sure that screw is in place and not broken by removing the lense for the light and looking inside the housing.
 
what color is the panel, if the j hooks on the back side are broken i may be able to help you with a new panel.
 
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