[116_Veloce]

'92 164 trying to remove front door trim.

dismantled front finisher infront of door handle it slides out, then the 2 armrest screws, 3rd behind door handle itself, 5 lower screws for door pocket, pulled from clips, so far all good. removed all other visible trim and hidden screw under upholstry material on upper half, and the air duct screw.

CAN'T figure out how to dismantle armrest top point! (door pull) I tried peeling off gently the finisher stripe on back side, but it just seems glued on and not a cover for anything. only thing obvious is door pull screwed somehow on top of the door trim upper half with no visible access...

Help?

 

[Craig]

The top of the door pull is held by a spring clip. I'm unsure of the best way to remove it but you could try a steady pressure while leaning it from side to side.

 

[AlfaAddict]

MrT described procedure in detail here:
http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=30548&highlight=door+removal

 

[116_Veloce]

Thanks guys, I read the thread and it clarified things. When I have the patience I'll try again, need to replace a faulty window mechanism. I like to take things very easy and do operations like these on a quiet, free day. I work carefully and use special tools on the trim, I'm very obsessive with damaged clips and other interior parts, can't think straight when somethings not right. I have some of the clips new in any case.

a used feeler gage is an excellent tool to prise out escutcheons and trim finishers. I use the 1/20" thickness as it's thick enough to work with and flexible enough to give when the part is too stubborn. for other trim parts I use a plastic spatula. Silly alfa thoughts...

Cheers

 

[AlexGS]

a used feeler gage is an excellent tool to prise out escutcheons and trim finishers. I use the 1/20" thickness as it's thick enough to work with and flexible enough to give when the part is too stubborn. for other trim parts I use a plastic spatula. Silly alfa thoughts...

Sounds good! I use one of those fork-shaped tools (Powerbuilt brand) with the angled head designed to get in behind both sides of a trim clip and pry it out without damage. Recently I bought a pair of special pliers designed to squeeze and pry Christmas-tree clips. Haven't needed those yet - different fasteners demand different techniques, but you can never have too many tools.

In our shops, you can get small packets of fasteners (white press-studs for example) and I also save a few from when I strip apart 80's FIATs as there is often something interchangeable.

I think I did damage (permanently loosen) my door pull-handle trying to remove the mushroom-head from the wire clip in the door. Lifting the upper part of the trim first sounds like the way to go, since the handle should slide upwards out of the clip.

-Alex