Has anyone had any problem with their outer lower door panel opening after a while? What I mean by this is the outer lower door panel separating from the door. There's a slight gap in my passenger door where the outer lower door panel meets the door. It looks like you can tighten the screws on the inside of the door and it would close th.e gap. Any advice is appreciated...

Dat

 

Is it the lower door cladding that your talking about?
If so you can can just buy some clips and that should help close the gap. They run about five dollors or so per clip. You should be able to fix it yourself.

 

I'll try to take a picture of it later tonight. what I'm talking about is the lower outer portion of the door that feels like it's plastic. There's a slight gap when the door is shut and it's this piece that is not flush with the rear passenger door.

Dat

 

Please take some pics so we can see exactly what you are talking about....then we may be able to help you a little more...

 

This is what I'm talking about:


Door closed w/gap.

Door closed w/gap from the side.

Door open w/gap.

I think it's only the bottom door cladding due to the fact that the rest of the door is a perfect fit. The third picture illustrates what I'm talking about with the door open, which clearly shows a gap. I just need to know if it can be fixed easily and how. Thanks...

Dat

 

Wow...that looks like it needs to be tighened onto the door if possible. Hopefully thats all it is and you dont have to replace the entire panel.

 

Yep, there are screws in the back that look like they're used to tighten the panel back on to the main door frame. I'm not sure if those are the correct ones or not. I was hoping someone on here has more insight, otherwise, I'm going to tighten the bolt and see.

Dat

 

Dat i would try that first and see.

 

Tighten the bolt from the third picture....that should do it.

If it doesn't, that means the thread within the body panel is screwed up OR the thread insert has loosened itself from the panel and may have to be secured with glue of some sort.

Either case..it doesn't look like ANY of these possibilities require the replacement of the panel which should be very cheap for you!

 

I'll take a look at my GS400 repair manual and I'll see about getting you a PDF on the door cladding's details (what's keeping the cladding on the door--screws, clips--and where). I'll get it up by 11/25 AM.

 

Agreed--tighten the bottom bolts. It's aligned good, so a tightening is all that it needs. From the file, it looks like 5 clips on top, 4 on bottom, 4 bolts at each corner, and adhesive at 3 points.

Here's a PDF of the front door cladding.

 

Just in case you need the door cladding installation instructions. . .

 

A related topic: rocker panel moulding (the separate body moulding below the door moulding)

See the PDF on how to remove it. Installation is the reverse.

 

Thanks for posting the PDFs SeattleGS400.

Dat