How to Reattach a 2005-2013 BMW 3 Series Door Panel Liner

Written By: Sam A McDaniel
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How to Reattach a 2005-2013 BMW 3 Series Door Panel Liner

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

13

Time Required

35 minutes - 2 hours

Introduction

If the liner on the door panel of your 2005-2013 BMW 3 Series is drooping or is coming loose, follow these steps to remove your door panel and reattach the liner. By removing the trim and a few screws, the door panel will be free to pry loose. Once you know where the screws are, car door panels are easy enough to remove with no more than a screwdriver. BMWs require a Torx screwdriver. Aside from the location of the screws, just about any car door panel is the same. There are internal plastic clips around the bottom edge and metal ones at the top. All clips come loose by pulling/prying straight out. Any pry tool will work; just try to avoid one that could harm the surfaces.

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    • The leather door lining is loose.

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    • Using a plastic pry tool, carefully pry off the mock wood trim.

    • The mock wood trim tends to crack easily.

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    • If any of the plastic clips come loose with the trim, remove them and press them back into the door panel.

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    • Using a T20 Torx, remove the three screws located behind the previously removed trim.

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    • Using your plastic pry tool, pry the door panel loose, beginning along the bottom edge and moving up each side.

    • The door panel will still be attached at the top.

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    • Pull the door panel straight out along the top edge.

    • There is a series of metal clips that will pop lose.

    • When re-installing the door panel, it is important to line these clips back up with their respective holes on the door panel.

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    • Unclip the internal door handle mechanism inside the door handle by rotating clockwise.

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    • Unplug the speaker wire by pulling it straight out.

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    • Unplug the control panel wire by rotating the lever that is built into the plug.

    • Rotate the lever from the wire side down towards the door panel.

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    • Pop the light out of the bottom of the door panel and then unplug it.

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    • Now that the door panel is free from the car, move it to a flat workspace.

    • Apply a line of glue along the top edge and under the middle of the leather liner.

    • Have your clamps and wood spacers ready before applying glue.

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    • Push the liner into place in between the door panel sections.

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    • Using several clamps and pieces of wood (to distribute pressure), clamp the liner down to the door panel.

    • You may need to add larger pieces of wood on the inside of the door panel as spacers.

Conclusion

Allow the glue to dry following the instructions on the tube. Reassemble the door following these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Sam A McDaniel

Member since: 16/09/20

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