Removal of sliding door panel
- Thread starter jjrubino
- Start date
autostaretx
Erratic Member
See the 2006 service manual from here: http://aie-services-2.net/Sprinter/
Trim panel removal is on page 23-46
You will want a set of inexpensive "trim panel removal tools" to non-destructively release the plastic holding pins:
(available at auto parts stores, and through Amazon)
You can easily get by with only the one shown in the hand, or the largest of the "handled" style.
The tool "surrounds" the pin before being levered to pop it from the body.
--dick
Trim panel removal is on page 23-46
You will want a set of inexpensive "trim panel removal tools" to non-destructively release the plastic holding pins:
(available at auto parts stores, and through Amazon)
You can easily get by with only the one shown in the hand, or the largest of the "handled" style.
The tool "surrounds" the pin before being levered to pop it from the body.
--dick
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My panel "Volunteered" - those silly plastic 'fasteners' came loose on their own so that the door couldn't be opened except by being inside and holding the panel so it didn't catch on the rear of the opening.
So - taking a hint from a Norwegian coin with a hole in the center - I selected a half-dozen assorted "Quarter" [US 25¢] size coins from an earlier European trip in my Vanagon, polished them, drilled center holes and fastened the panel with sheet-metal SCREWS using these coins as 'washers'.
Looks spiffy, panel is easily removed with a screwdriver, and - another extra cost, "Special Tool". eliminated
I particularly like the pre-'euro' french coin which still looks like gold after several years.
-Oly
So - taking a hint from a Norwegian coin with a hole in the center - I selected a half-dozen assorted "Quarter" [US 25¢] size coins from an earlier European trip in my Vanagon, polished them, drilled center holes and fastened the panel with sheet-metal SCREWS using these coins as 'washers'.
Looks spiffy, panel is easily removed with a screwdriver, and - another extra cost, "Special Tool". eliminated
I particularly like the pre-'euro' french coin which still looks like gold after several years.
-Oly
Maverick922
2020 4x4 Cargo
Do you have any photos of this?My panel "Volunteered" - those silly plastic 'fasteners' came loose on their own so that the door couldn't be opened except by being inside and holding the panel so it didn't catch on the rear of the opening.
So - taking a hint from a Norwegian coin with a hole in the center - I selected a half-dozen assorted "Quarter" [US 25¢] size coins from an earlier European trip in my Vanagon, polished them, drilled center holes and fastened the panel with sheet-metal SCREWS using these coins as 'washers'.
Looks spiffy, panel is easily removed with a screwdriver, and - another extra cost, "Special Tool". eliminated
I particularly like the pre-'euro' french coin which still looks like gold after several years.
-Oly
Thanks
cahaak
New member
My panel also came off a few times and then the green fasteners broke (most of them). My panel is now held in place with 3/4" drywall screws and it works great. My door gets opened and closed something like 20 times a day on average. You can use the coins or washers as noted about or larger flat head screws like the kind that hold cabinets up would work well (at a much shorter length). I think I used 7 screws on the panel. 3 at the top, one on the middle on each side and 2 on the bottom. Bottom is a bit harder to get at and screw into due to the step recess. Works great now and I don't have to worry about hockey bags working the panel loose.
Chris
Chris
RedDino
Member
I just got done replacing no fewer than 6 fasteners! The new have a slightly lighter green color, but that doesn't necessarily make them better.
While I had then panel removed I added b-quiet sound insulation and I lubed the lock mechanism using Houdini Lock Lubricant.
While I had then panel removed I added b-quiet sound insulation and I lubed the lock mechanism using Houdini Lock Lubricant.