Re: Spider Door Panels

[bgiller@xxxxxxxxx (Bruce Giller)]

Hal,
	Had the same thing happen to me.  I've taken both door panels off
my '86 Spider numerous times and I had to replace the largish top pin on
both sides.  And the replacement piece they gave me was metal that was too
long instead of the better fitting plastic piece.  They too, swore that the
metal pin was the correct item.  The panel doesn't fit nearly as well as
before at that point (1/4" gap between the top of the panel and the door),
and the impression of the metal pins' head can be seen thru the door
panel's covering.  And to top it off, the metal pin doesn't hold as well!

	Bruce

> When I bought my car, the driver's side door panel was not properly
>mounted.  In addition to some of the plastic clips running around the
>perimeter, the top rear corner connector was missing.  I went to the
>dealer, who sold me a male part (metal pin with
> a disk for a head, and a groove on the post), and a plastic female part
>which fits into a hole in the door and provides grip for the metal pin.
>
> The problem is, I could never really get it in there, even with a hammer.
>
> Then, when I took apart the passenger side door to fix the window, I
>noticed that it had a slightly smaller, plastic pin, instead of the metal
>one, and it worked beautifully;  went right in, and held the panel firmly.
>No hammer required.
>
> Well, next time I was at the dealer, I mentioned this, and asked me if he
>could get me one of the PLASTIC pins for the door panel.  He gave me a
>bewildered look, and said, "no no no, there are only these metal ones".  I
>think he went and looked at the
> microfiche, while I explained the trouble I'd had with the metal one.  He
>said, "no, that's the correct part, you just have to hit it very hard".
>
> Well, I'm unconvinced.  Who out there has taken apart the doors on their
>80's spider, and what held the top rear corner in place?  Do I just need
>to try another dealer?

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