meowy84

Howdy. I have an '84 500sel and want to do a paint job. How do I remove the side body cladding on the doors? I removed the chrome strip and see the screws but what about the bottoms? I assume there are blind plastic clips there. How do I remove them without damage? Take the door panels off? ?? Help!

howdosaymercede

I think you have to take the door panels off, not 100% sure thou....

peace

take the door panels off and pop the little screws out from the other side... should come out.

meowy84

Damn, I was afraid of that. But how do I take the door panels off. I don't see any visible screws (unlike in lesser cars except those on the window frame itself that seem to hold the window frame upholstery.

500MPL

No need to remove the door panels, open each door and look at stricker side and find the small nipple point in the door seal. Gently pull back to gain acess to the 7mm nut holding the chrome strip at the back of each panel. Then with a nylon panel tool or a thin wooden wedge start at lower back edge and pop in consecutive order the pins along the bottomand then work your way along the top. The panels have a slip clip at the top back corner that has to be shifted back then forward to unhinge. The panel will then come loose.

Be prepared to replace a few since they are 13+ years old and you may break a few. Not that difficult, but be carefull not to scratch the paint.

The fender panels are held by pop pins on the bottom then you pull down to unhinge the tops.

Good luck.

meowy84

Thanks!! This really helps.