Interior Door Panel Fitment Issues
 

Hello,


For those that have removed the interior door panel of your cars, did you have any fitment issues when putting the panel back on? My drivers side sits completely flush all around (as did the passenger side before I removed it). Now the passenger side has a substantial gap around the entire perimeter.


I'm sure that all 8 retaining clips snapped into place... did I do something wrong?


I'm thinking that either (1) I "bent" the panel when removing it, or (2) the retaining clips wore out when I first removed the panel. If (2) is the case, will replacing the clips fix the fitment? (it was a lot easier to remove the panel a second time, so I'm leaning towards this theory)


Appreciate any advice :)

never had problems taking on and off my door panels and there being any gaps. But have always kept in mind to make sure all pop clips are there and intact.

what helped me earlier on to make sure each clip was popped properly back in was to take small pieces of masking tape and stick them on the opposite side of where each clip should be. that way i'd know which exact spots to PUNCH..er I mean, pop back into place.

also making sure the top edge of the panel is hanging properly off of the top of the door? making sure wires aren't in the way? what were you doing that required you to take off your door cards?

Fit.
The word is fit.
You do not add 'ment to the end of it.
It is just FIT.
"did you have any fit issues"

A fitment is a fixed item of furniture or piece of equipment, especially in a house it is not a replacement for fit.

iirc, hanging the panel off the top edge can sometimes be a touch tricky to get everything to line up at first.

i'd just pull it and try again.

Fit! Got it :)

I did check each clip and counted the clicks as they snapped in. When the door was hanging, everything seemed to line up with the faint marks on the soft rubber on each side. As for wires, there's just the one to the window/lock buttons and I'm pretty sure they well out of the way.. although I could be wrong. Will try again with your tape trick tomorrow.

I was switching out the chrome door handles for black ones :)

It seems like everything is lined up since all the clips snapped in place. I tried several times on & off but the gap was there every time...

Also, I may have overexaggerated the amount of gap I'm seeing. It's finger 1-2 finger nails worth of space. But the driver side is totally flush against the door with 0 gap.

triple check that all there's not any rogue fasteners still stuck to the door panel between removal and reinstallation.. they can get in the way of reinstallation and cause a gap nearly the thickness you're describing.

This could be it. This says that 20 retainers are required (I assume for both sides). I counted 8 on the panel...

https://parts.stevenscreektoyota.com...U00302981.html

and in case you need more for the one's that take a hike:
https://www.clipsandfasteners.com

referencing an ebay pic helps. yes there should be ten

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/VcoAA...fk/s-l1600.jpg

and yes again, marking where the clips should be on other side with tape helps! should help with fitment

That was it! popped out the 2 stuck in the door and everything fits like a glove.

Thanks!

glad to hear the re-fitment went gooder.

So.. I must have overtightened the door handle screw and stripped the plastic threads because the bottom screw keeps spinning now and won't tighten.

Does anyone know what this part is called? I've been looking at parts diagrams trying to find the part number for a while now without much luck.

fill it with glue to re-thread it? idk

i believe these are the same thing. would need to confirm outer dimensions of the square size:

https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/To...e-p/a14271.htm