How do you remove driver side door panel on a 1989 Chevy Astro Van?

Answer 1

There is a recess in the padded armrest, it has two screws holding it down. Remove them and pry up on the armrest - it should lift out. Pry off trim around inside door handle - I don't think there are any screws holding that on -think it just presses in place - pull on inner door handle and work the trim piece off. Either behind that or behind the arm rest there is another sheet metal screw I believe holding the door panel. All around the perimeter of the panel are plastic plugs mounted on the back of the panel and pushed into holes in the door. The object is to pry them out of the holes without tearing them out of the cardboard on the panel. They make a tool to help remove them - it looks like a fork with only two tines on. Two screwdrivers can be used to do the same thing - you could also use a needle nose pliers in the same manner. Think there may be one or two of the plugs in the center of the panel also. Way up at the top of the trim where it narrows down is another one. Once you have them all out push up on the trim panel to release it from the window channel. It should lift up and out. Once you have popped one of the plugs loose - take a look at it and you can see how they function and have a better idea how to get them out. They are generally toast once you remove them and won't hold well for reassembly - but depending on how mangled they get and how fussy you are - they may work again.

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