View Full Version : Removing door handles and side molding
shazapple
07-29-2005, 06:39 PM
I haven't really taken a look to see what this requires, but are there any tricks to this I should know? I've taken the interior panel off before so I know how to get that off. I assume ill need a set of plyers to get the side molding off.
Wiscon_Mark
07-30-2005, 10:36 AM
great questions....I want to touch up my trim too (I'm assuming that's what you're doing, Lee) and I haven't really figured out how they come off.
Wiscon_Mark
08-02-2005, 08:56 PM
okay, I think I figured it out....the moldings have to slide backwards and outwards...this is easy on the little one in front of the front door, but the long panels I have yet to figure out :? They do have some give, as if they should slide, but I can't find a way to apply enough pressure to get them to go back....anyone ever done this before???
deadlydave
08-05-2005, 12:57 AM
careful with the side moldings....
I took my car to the shop to get the final body work done on my crushed driver's side. They broke the molding off my front door by accident and had to order another...so gentleness is key. My father mentioned something about a putty knife to get it started...
good luck.
Wiscon_Mark
08-05-2005, 09:46 AM
I'll pop off the little front on to give a good idea of how the system works, but I still don't know how to get enough pressure going the right way on the bigger mouldings...
shazapple
08-08-2005, 08:49 AM
If its anythign like my sisters Honda then you have to get inside the door and squeeze the little 'fish hook' type dealies.
belladonna
08-10-2005, 06:51 PM
the side moldings on the imprezas are clipped in so i would assume it would be the same for a legacy :?
Pwise2326
08-10-2005, 09:22 PM
I know that the first piece (on the front fender) pops out, take out a couple screws/poprivets from the innerfender splash guard and pull it aside and you should be able to get to it with a screwdriver to push in the tabs on the top and bottom, then apply a little pressure to the back and it should pop right out (and about 6 feet across your driveway..). The door pieces I haven't messed with, with your windows up pop off the interior panel of the doors and look through, see if there are any similar tabs. If it is anything like my buddy's VW golf it may be held on by adhesive, in which the putty knife method will probably work best, just be careful not to scrape up your paint or you'll really get pissed. The door handles I would assume need to get access from the inside of the door as well, so either way it looks like you'll need to pop off that interior panel -- real easy, 2 screws one in the little plastic handle thing and one in the actual door handle. Gently start pulling from the bottom (lots of plastic whatchamacallits that like to break when you pull on them) and work your way towards the top, the top along the windows edge is kinda hooked on, so lift up, unplug your wiring harnesses in the back behind the door handles, and you should be able to set it aside. -- Just make sure you have the windows up cause it may be a little difficult to probe around for tabs or clips to remove things on the exterior side through glass...lol.
Lee -- are you going to colormatch your trim and door handles?? Good luck if you are, and props for DIY.
shazapple
08-13-2005, 04:13 PM
Yeah im going to colourmatch them. I got the doorhandles off today.
auuugh, my back, those handles are the devil! Theres two bolts for each door handle. One is easy to get to, one is not. Unless you remove the windows, you have to slowly unscrew one of the bolts from an odd angle. I couldnt fit anything but a screwdriver type rachet and a short socket into the door.
The front parts of the door bumpers came off easy, but the rest of it is held in by 2 or 3 clips and a lot of two sided tape. I havent tackled those yet
bgwagon
08-16-2005, 10:22 AM
cool....speaking of sidemouldings....im so anal...i bought the JDM side mouldings.. (flat) from JDMIsME...on ebay :D
Wiscon_Mark
08-19-2005, 12:23 PM
If colormatching is all you want...
Here's an idea:
Take artist's masking tape and cover everthing on the side that might get "collateral damage" from the paint, then fearlessly paint the side mouldings and door handles, and take the tape off. Since its good artist's tape, it will not leave any adhesive or peel paint or anything.
Criticisms, comments?
bgwagon
08-26-2005, 01:48 AM
yea...just take your time mask the moulding real good...but make sure you COVER THE ENTIRE CAR or else you WILL get overspray...I originally did my mouldings and side mirrors like that....no prob!
shazapple
08-26-2005, 05:26 PM
Did you remove your mirrors to do it? Im having trouble getting the screws loose.
Dont worry about the painting bit, my dad and I have some experience in painting stuff :-D
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