Keep us posted on your progress Steven, I'm flipping all over the place on the final colour for mine. There is a strong argument to stay with original and Bleu Lagune does look good with the black upholstery. Plenty of time for my final decision...:wink2:
I'm working to get the best panel fit I can, so have made adjustments now to the rear guard and repaired door (it looks better but is now a little close to the guard - easy fix). As the rear door has had the complete bottom replaced I need to hang the front passenger door now to check how the adjustments I have made affect the front door position.
So, I've pulled out the front passenger door, I cant believe how heavy and awkward a fully assembled door is. It will be the next panel in line for preparation so stripping off the hardware may as well happen now as later and will make handling much easier without half it's weight.
I've taken pics along the way, this will be teaching 'granny to suck eggs' (where did that saying originate?) for most of you but hopefully useful for those that have yet to pull a door down, maybe a few tips for those that are all too familiar?
The door is a beauty, some surface rust on the underside only, shape is good, a couple of very small bog bubbles on the lower fold. Which will reveal rust but should be an easy fix - anything is after that rear door.
To remove the door card on a D Special, firstly remove the armrest - 2 x Pozi drive screws (yes I'm using a Philips head driver :nownow: )
Next the window winder, Just need to depress the doorcard sufficient to remove the holding pin. I find use of welding clamps makes it an easy task. With the forks of the clamps between the plastic trim and handle you can lever downward as you push out the pin.
You can now pry up the door card, put that spring with your collection of bits.
Now we are going to remove the glass, first undo the two M5 bolts extreme left and right.
Next the two spring clips under the lower arm mechanism. Release the arm from the glass support.
There is a large spring clamp that now needs to be opened in order to release the glass. I discovered a second use for the Citroen steering column spring compressor, it is the perfect tool for this job.
It slides into the spring clamp, and using the lever it opens the spring making withdrawal of the glass simple.
Next drop the winder mechanism, 4 x M5. and remove.
Internal door handle, undo the large chrome nut N.B. TREAT AS LEFT HAND THREAD!! RELEASE BY TURNING CLOCKWISE.
Turn the handle 90 degrees and lift, remove the rubber strap and release the handle from the actuator rod.
Next that big chrome nut, it's held by a washer with a split, I just lever the washer and wind it off the thread.
Next I remove the window slide channel, it gives more access for removal of the outer door handle.
So, to the external lift style door handle, it is secured by two 10mm (from memory) nuts.
This is the easy one :wink2:
This one I find easier working from the outside of the panel.
Now release the actuating rod, M5 screw.
The door lock, simply lever the securing clip and it drops out.
All done, and half the weight. I've left the door catch and hinges because I'm hanging the door on the car.
...and finally on the car, I can see plenty of tweaking to get it right (or close to right)
The back of the front door needs lifting, add one shim to the lower front. The rear door can move forwards, remove upper and lower shims one of each. this should close the middle gap and open the rear gap, I'll report back...
Cheers
Chris
Hi Chris
I had to go back and find this post as "D" Day is approaching. Once you have released the spring clip, is it possible to remove the glass up through the top of the door or do the guide channels have to be released as well to remove the glass? I ask as I am not planning on completely stripping the doors for the respray... the less I have to disturb the better. Everything works, alignment is fine etc...so I just want to work around it..well that's my theory.
Matthew
