Door panel won't go back right

[Jetjock]

I pulled the right door panel off to replace the outside weatherstrip. I put the door panel back and I had a huge gap up front where none was before. All of the screws went back where they were supposed to go. I've had the door panel off three times and each time, it's a different issue. I did replace the Velcro strip but that didn't work. It seems that the screw up front of the door down low and is about two inches long won't hit the screw retainer. I have to pull up on the panel to make it fit. That causes the top of the panel to not catch the upper part of the door. Thoughts.



I'm pulling the panel off tomorrow and try to reset the long screw to where it will fit.



Roy

[Corvette95]

Did you put the wiring with retainers back in the original place...the tab usually breaks upon first removal and if you don't replace the retaining tab, the wiring connectors being out of place, will not let the door panel seat correctly. ALSO check the lock rod for going up and over and into the slide CORRECTLY--that's a big possibility.

[conesare2seconds]

+1 for lock rod.

[secondchance]

Looking at your signature, I am assuming that we are talking about 92 or 93 Z.
That is a good news because 94 and 95s have different door panels and would require additional repair. Namely, recreating original curvature on top that seem to straighten out over time making it difficult to hook on to a lip on top of the inner panel.
From what I am reading, checking and making sure all components including connectors are not wedged between the door panel and inner panel is a very good point.
I would roll the window down, aligned the top making sure lip on the door panel is hooking on to inner panel (holding the panel leaning the top on top of inner panel and the bottom away from the door at an angle helps), push down and tap the top of the door panel down to make sure the door panel is seated properly and slowly push the bottom of the door panel against the door.
While doing this, make sure the door lock rod is clearing the openg on the door panel opening for the door handle.
I think 90 - 93 door panels has one long sheet metal screw towards the front. I would use long, skinny screw driver or a pick (even better) to line up the screw hole on the door panel to receiving clip on the inner panel. Move door panel forward or backward until opposing hole is located.
Early cars’ passenger side I think have a 7 mm hex that has to be inserted through window switch hole and fasten inner metal bracket to an attachment point. Temporarily holding the hex head screw on to socket with a piece of electric tape can avoid dropping the screw and having to start all over again.

[Jetjock]

I finally got it fixed. There was some Velcro up at the black panel that came off.



Roy