How do you remove the right hand door panel on a 2002 Buick LeSabre?

Answer 1

The door panels are held in place by a lot of plastic "push-in" clips. Just to make it interesting there are two different lengths, some of the outer-edge clips are longer and will "snag" the panel when trying to remove it. Finally the "arm rest" has is connected by two "slider" clips that are easily broken [and easily repaired should you make the mistake of getting impatient while taking the panel off]. These clips are actually U-shaped with the "U" being upside down, so you will have to pull the panel upwards to lift it off the clip supports. Finally there is a plastic moisture shield held in-place by a nice gooey tar substance. If you can, use a cheap 3" black plastic spatula, same kind used to flip burgers or pancakes, to pop the edge-clips. Insert the spatula [or carefully pry outwards with your fingers] on the bottom of the door panel. Work you way to the each side, using either your fingers or the spatula to pry the panel away from the door. Each side of the panel has longer clips near the top and may take some more prying to loosen or release them. After all the edges have been released or popped free, the arm-rest is next. There are two ways to release the clips, the proper way is to lift the entire panel so that the U-shaped clips clear the supports, the other way is to just pull the panel away, which will break the internal plastic "welds" holding the arm-rest plate assembly to the door. If you choose the latter because it's easier, or you get tired of arguing with the panel, you can easily repair the welds afterwards with some screws. After enough prying and pulling the panel will come free. Next is the moisture shield, do not cut or destroy this! Simply start pulling back the plastic and with a finger loosen the tar-like substance, you will find that the tar likes the plastic and will stick to it as you slowly pry the plastic off the door frame. Don't take the plastic completely off the door, just peel back enough so you can access the window regulator or what-ever you were after inside the door. Re-assembly Put the plastic moisture barrier back in place, first just get about where it needs to go, then press the edges firmly to reseat it. If you broke the the arm-rest plastic "welds" holding the metal plate to the U-shaped clips, you can use two sheet metal screws [ at least 1 inch long ] to screw the metal plate back to the panel. The screws will go where the "welds" use to be. Use Phillips type screws with large heads, you will need to tighten these pretty tight. Smaller screws or flat-blade types will just make you mad because either the heads will be stripped off or the screw-driver keeps slipping. It should be pretty obvious how the arm-rest clips are held-on. You will need to place the panel a couple of inches higher and then slide it down so the "U-shaped" clips are re-seated, once this is done all of the other "push-in" clips will align themselves with the holes they came out-of. Press firmly or use the palm of your hand to "tap" the panel back in to place. Comments The LeSabre's [particularly the 2000 models] windows regulators are poorly made using plastic instead of metal. These will break due to heat, cold, someone prying down on the window, or even hitting a bump in the road. Many auto parts stores are now carrying the LeSabre regulator, cost is typically $99 for an OEM replacement. Seems like the better ones are made in China, while the ones made in the US are the worst. My 2000 LeSabre has gone through 8 US-made regulators, and so far, none of the Chinese-made ones has failed. Maybe the Chinese make better plastic?