Miata Mailing List: November 1993, Message #183
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   From: Jeff Maurer 
Subject: Re: Idle Speed Droop
   Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 12:54:13 -0500

> A new "wrinkle" is that this past weekend with the windy weather we have had
> here in MD, I was stupid enough to park next to a vehicle in range of its
> door.  You guessed it, whomever was not in full control of their door and
> now I have a dent exactly in the middle of the door.  No paint is scratched
> off however and it appears that if I could get in behind it, I could push it
> out.  My question is how to get the inner door panel off to gain access to the 
> backside of the door sheetmetal.  Any suggestions?
Remove the door handle surround - one phillips screw as I remember.
Remove the window crank by using a small screwdriver to pry out
the wire clip behind the trim ring (on the opposite side handle).
Unscrew the door handle/ arm rests.  Pop off the speaker cover
(held in place by plastic clips.  Carefully work your way around
the door panel, popping the plastic clips as you go.  I've done
this by hand, but it's safer to use a thin flat piece of plastic
or metal to pry the panel away from the door.  They make a specific
tool for this purpose which you can find in most automotive shops.
You need to be careful not to snag the vinyl, nor break the masonite
door panel.  Pop off the triangular trim panel that covers the
outside mirror bolts.  Lift the door panel up (it hangs on the
window sill.

You're now looking at the polyethelene water barrier that is caulked
to the door.  If you use a razor to cut the adhesive bead (not the
plastic sheet) you can cleanly part the water barrier from the
door.  You should now have access to the outside skin of the door.

Good luck,
jeff

            _
            /        Jeff Maurer, Staff Analyst
     _  ___/ _ __   Service & Quality Apps, Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
     / /  / / / /  Uucp: ...!uunet!sequent!jdm
    / /__/_/   /  Internet: jdm@sequent.com
 __/             (503) 578-5062

"Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand."
 Ignorance and prejudice and fear go hand in hand."
Neal Peart, RUSH