Rattling Door Panels
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: N Richland Hills, TX
Rattling Door Panels
Help me! I have a 1996 Aerostar and the front door panels have come loose from nearly every attatchment point from the arm rests on down to the bottom of the door. The "plastic stud" is still attatched to the panel but it is poking into an open hole. What used to be in there? Any ideas about what to plug the hole with to be able to re-attatch the panels? Thanks in advance for any help.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
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Rattling Door Panels
Go to the dealer and request a couple of bags of 'door panel fasteners' (common name). They come in a pkg of 10 fasteners. You will note the new ones have serrated edges that grip the hole when pushed into place. Yours have apparently worn away most of the gripping edges as the panel flopped about on the door. To remove the panel, remove the screws attaching the arm rest, door latch and remove the window riser handle (if so equipped). The remaining panel fasteners are released using a gentle prying. A stiff scraper blade works well. Once the panel is off you can see where the new fasteners are required. They are designed as single use only items, for obvious reasons. Having spares around is advisable for once you start looking, you'll find more floppy panels.
The local Ford shop here charges $4.00 for a bag of 10 fasteners. Auto parts stores sell them in blister packs of 2, but seldom have more than 3 or 4 on hand and by the time you accumulate 10 the price is nearly double the dealer cost. Some auto-body shops also carry these but again it seem hit or miss as to whether they have the right version and quantity needed.
The local Ford shop here charges $4.00 for a bag of 10 fasteners. Auto parts stores sell them in blister packs of 2, but seldom have more than 3 or 4 on hand and by the time you accumulate 10 the price is nearly double the dealer cost. Some auto-body shops also carry these but again it seem hit or miss as to whether they have the right version and quantity needed.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 510
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From: Portland, OR
Rattling Door Panels
The door panels commonly break behind the arm rest from too much flexing. I installed some self drilling/tapping trim screws that look good enough and really beef up the panel.
Mark
Mark
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