GU Door Trim Removal (how to guide)
Due to a few people asking about removing door trims in the past, I decided the next time I remove "my" door trim, id get some pics up with instructions.
My GU (and so this guide) is a series 1 GU Wagon (1999) but this info may help others with later models as where to look/pull, but no guarantee as to what is the same tho.
Ive started the instructions in a certain order, so the first few steps can be followed, even if you ONLY wish to remove the power window switch cluster, if you use a screwdriver or other metal tool to pry/lever (butter knife, scraper etc) , use a rag or wrap the screwdriver/tool in tape so you reduce damage to the plastic trim/s.
What my door trim looks like......
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...oor1Medium.jpg
First step, pull up at the rear section of the elbow rest pad, this normally can be done by hand, if its very tight, you may need a paint scraper covered with a rag, or suitable tool that wont scratch into the plastic.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...oor2Medium.jpg
As in the pic below, you can see underneath how the elbow rest pad has a tongue and groove at the front (red circle), as you lift the back end up, the front can now be withdrawn clear.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...oor3Medium.jpg
Next remove the Philips head screw in the door handle cavity (blue arrow)
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...oor4Medium.jpg
Now removal of the window switch cluster panel, is the same as the elbow rest pad, lift up at the rear, tongue and groove at the front.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...oor5Medium.jpg
The red circle below shows the tongue at the front of the window switch panel.
Once you have exposed the window switch wires, you need to unplug the wiring loom from the window switch, you need to first push the locking tab with a screwdriver (red arrow), then withdraw the plug and wires in the direction of the blue arrows.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...oor6Medium.jpg
The plug may be a little stiff, you can jiggle the plug a little, but don't use excessive force as you may damage the switch, and try not to pull using the wires themselves, get a friend to help hold it all if you find are struggling.
Now remove the three large Phillips head screws you have now exposed, the pic below shows red crosses where the screws are located (screws not shown)
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3.../Door11mod.jpg
Next you can remove the surround for the internal door release, it will unclip first from the rear, move you fingers/tool around underneath as you go and work it off, DON"T force it in one pull, as you may break the plastic.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...or15Medium.jpg
This pic shows how its clipped on
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...or16Medium.jpg
Next remove the triangle shape door mirror bolt cover, it pretty much just pulls off, you may have a trim clip with a "push centre" to release, it will be visible in the lower left corner (mine is a push in xmas tree clip), remove this clip first before pulling the trim.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...or17Medium.jpg
Try to pull the trim off without twisting it, if you twist it the plastic tabs on the rear can snap off, this is the rear view, red circles showing plastic tabs..
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...or14Medium.jpg
Now grab under the lip of the lower rear section of the trim, pull the trim toward you, (you may need someone to hold the door as you pull) you will feel/hear the trim clips move, once one is popped, work you way along the bottom of the door trim until the lower trim is free.
Then do the same working up popping the clips that run vertical on each side (DO NOT pull the very top of the door trim where it meets the window)
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...oor8Medium.jpg
Once the clips are removed, the door trim should now be just hanging from the top, it is hooked over at the top of the door, and so needs to be LIFTED UP, hold the bottom of the door trim out a little so it can move freely, start lifting at the rear as shown below.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...oor9Medium.jpg
This pic shows the behind the top of the door trim, and the hook shape at the top of the trim, it runs the full length of the trim
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...or12Medium.jpg
If you struggle to get the trim unhooked at the top, It can often be easier to remove and refit the hook part, with the window glass in the fully DOWN position, (of course then you have to plug the window switch in again to move the glass up to get into the door cavity)
If you are working outside (as I do) have a blanket/towel to put the trim on flat, if you stand them up against a wall/the car, they get blown over easy by wind, and are very easy to damage/scratch.
Fitting is just the reverse, take note if any clips pulled off the trim and remained on the door itself, these will need to be refitted to the trim before installation of the trim.
I find cheap crimp terminal pliers are great for removing clips left on the door, but long nose pliers can also work.
To insert a clip back into the door trim, (look at the other clips for guidance), you insert clip into the big hole, and slide it over into the small hole side, thus trapping the head of the clip in place.
Another thing to remember, is to poke the power window switch wires up through the door trim "before" you push all the door trim clips home.
Hope this helps someone, BTW, the rear doors are almost identical in the way they are put together.
:smile:
