All: Purchased a set of door panel trim clips from Melvins:
Here is the link to a set of 13 per door - http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50001018c
Now have them installed on the trim with the panels set into the trim, and the butyl tape surrounding each hole in the door.
I have also cut all the holes for the door handle spindles and the arm rest bolt holes, so ready to re-install.
So far have not been able push the Melvin's clips into the door holes,
Is there a technique that has worked for a successful install?
If so please let me know.what worked for you.
I'm reluctant to use the BFH method, but frustration in pointing me in the direction.
My trim is in excellent shape so don't want to damage it.
Thanks in advance for your help. Jeff

 

I am in the process of doing the same thing. The plastic panels have grooves up and down that set the panel out a little bit. Unless the tabs where these clips go on the trim are bent out enough so they are level with those grooves to allow them and the panel to sit flush up against the door, they will not go in. I took a pair of pliers and gently bent mine out. I then took a rubber mallet and pounded the clips, panels and trim units in. I bent or broke more than a half of dozen of those clips before I got mine in. But finally got them in. The rubber mallet did not bend my trim pieces. Don't worry as much about the curved end piece of the panel because the arm rest will hold that end in place. Good luck.

Rick

 

If you're still stuck on this Jeff, make sure the holes are drilled to 9/32".
Eric.

 

Eric Thx.
Dropped the whole thing while on vacation in the Chicago.
Now back on it and will measure holes and fittings in next few days.
My quick calipering of the widest part of the fitting from Melvin's says it is 23/64, wider than a 9/32 hole size.
I'm going to e-mail Melvin's for exact dimensions and recommended hole size for their fitting.
I'll let you know.
Thx again, Jeff

 

I have some Melvins clips and some original clips. Melvins clips seem to be spot on. I took one of the Melvins clips without any trim or panel in play and "worked" the clip into the hole. They are designed to go in and not come back out easily so they are a very tight fit. More so if your paint is thicker than original (very common).

 

Finally back to door interior trim installation using Melvin's trim clips.
Here is what I did:
1. Checked holes in door to find they were 1/4" in diameter cf spec of 9/32". As the clips are quite stiff, I drilled holes to 5/16" and reamed the new holes to clean edges.
2..Made sure the channel in the trim was open enough to slide the white panels into each piece starting at door hinge end.
3. Installed the top & bottom trim pieces with the clips, using a lightweight hammer and a hardwood block to set the clips. They grabbed well, and the trim is secure. Did not install the small curved trim at the end.
4. Slid the white panels into the channel in the trim, coaxing it carefully over the window winder and door handle pins. Used a plastic trim tool to ensure the trim seated well in the channels.
5. When panels were positioned correctly, fitted the curved piece of trim on the panel and set the clip.
6. Installed the door & window crank handles.
After a number of attempts to set the Melvin's clips, with & without the trim on the white panels, the method that worked for me was installing the trim first, then slide in the panels .
Not sure if that was the factory process, but it worked well for me.
I hope this helps with others installation. Jeff

 

Nice job, but......
Armrest backwards, goes on other door.

 

Intentional, Small end damaged so mounting this way "hides" the repair.

 

Damn, mine are bassackwards too.

 

Where did you get the white door pockets and trim. I can only find black

 

Purchased from a regular contributor to FTE, whose wife made him a set and he offered them on FTE.
Unfortunately didn't keep track of his moniker, but hopefully he will chime in. Jeff

 

Received my door panel clips yesterday. Here is my review of them. They suck! They are not made of a spring steel. I could see they were way to big for the factory holes. So I drilled the holes out of the door I was working on but only the corner and the bottom holes as I had not removed the top trim as I was only installing arm rests. I had not taken the passenger door apart yet. I drilled the holes to 9/32 as 6t6merc suggested. Tried to get the clips to pop in with no luck. Looked at the clips after trying to get them to pop in and they had closed up.(distorted). Put 6 new clips on and added a little grease to each clip and tried again. No luck they would pop right out. Did not hold. Looked at those clips and they had closed up again. So I drill the holes one step more to 19/64 figured that would do it. Wrong!!!!! same crap. clips closed up and would not hold. Decided to try to reform the clips as I only bought 2 sets. They are very soft and bend very easy. There is no spring to these spring clips. so I try 6 new ones after drilling to 19/64 and same thing the clips closed up and did not hold. I have now ruined 18 of the 26 clips I just spent 75 some dollars on and I am starting to get PO'd. So 2 new ones and grease. Same thing clips pop right out and are closed up. At this point I am so mad I say F it and push in on the panel where the clips are and bend the clips over and take a small hammer and flatten the clips to the inside of the door. When I went to do the passenger side I was very careful with the original clips and reused them and they hold fine. Needless to say I am not impressed with these replacement no spring tension clips one bit and would not recommend buying them to anyone

 

I bought mine pre-covid and am sitting here comparing some Melvins clips to some originals and these that I got from Melvins at that time are not too big and are made of a spring steel that feels the same as the originals it terms of "spring back". Here's side by side pics with new on left and old on right. I noticed Melvins did a like on Jeff's post #6 so you might reach out to him and see if he can help.

 

Here are pictures of my factory clip and one that I received from Melvin's yesterday. There is a small difference in width and a big difference in the size that would fit into the hole. Also what I would call the fingers of the clip are flat on Melvin's as opposed to slightly rounded on the originals. I believe this flatness is plays a roll in them not fitting into a round hole at all. I did send an email to Melvin' and will see if they have any reason for the difference.

 

Yes, I can see the gap between the two legs is definitely wider on your new one. That would make a difference. I pushed one in and thinking of leaving it until I'm ready to do the rest since it's not going to come out very easily.