The front door panel on a 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio contains the door handle, door lock mechanism. The panels are held in place by a number of retaining clips and screws. The panels cover the internal door mechanisms to protect them from damage and to create a finished, aesthetically pleasing look inside the vehicle. The door panel must be removed in order to service the speaker, power window motor, and other components housed inside the door.
Instructions
- 1
Open the door and gently pry off the triangular side mirror cover panel, using a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the cover panel and the foam insulation behind it. Pull up on the window lock knob to remove it from the lock knob shaft. Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the lock knob collar from the door trim panel.
2Gently pry the lower door storage compartment trim panel piece away from the door trim panel, using a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the screws holding the lower door storage compartment to the trim panel, using a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the door storage compartment from the trim panel.
3Rotate the window crank knob to the 10 oclock position and remove the window crank retaining clip, using a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the window crank from the vehicle.
4Remove the door lock control knob. Insert a small flat-head screwdriver in between the door handle cover and the door handle. Carefully pry the door handle cover off of the door handle. Remove the two screws holding the door handle to the door, using a metric nut driver. Remove the door handle and the door handle trim.
5Insert a putty knife between the door panel and the door skeleton. Pry around the circumference of the door panel in order to dislodge the door panel trim clips from the door. Gently pull on the door panel to remove it from the door.
6Align the door trim panel clips with the trim panel clip holes in the door. Press down on the door trim panel to seat the trim panel clips. Install the door handle and door handle trim panel. Reinstall the door handle screws, using a metric nut driver. Reinstall the door lock control knob and the door handle cover.
7Turn the window crank to the 10 oclock position and slide it over the window crank shaft. Reinstall the window crank retaining clip. Align the door storage compartment with the trim panel and reinstall the door storage compartment bolts. Replace the lower door storage compartment trim panel piece. Reinstall the side mirror foam and the triangular trim panel piece. Reinstall the lock knob collar and the lock knob. Check to make sure that none of the trim panel pieces are loose and that the locking mechanisms function properly.
