Removing rear polo door panel

[Nuro]

Hi guys

My 2 year old is in the dog box after playing with the electric window control on my 2003 Polo 1.6 comfortline sedan (right rear). He managed to push the control so hard, it popped into the door. Now I assume I will have to take off the door panel to push it into place again. The control still works if I use it through the hole.

The leather in the car is still in awesome condition, so I would like to do this the right way and not ruin the panel. Anybody have pointers for removing the door panel?

 

[ponder]

It's usually just a few screws and clips holding it in place.

 

[spiderz]

be careful with the clips, they tend to break easily.
Go around the door, remove all the screws. Then with a flat screw driver slowly start to lift the door panel from the door, poping out the clips as you find them.

 

[Nuro]

Cool. Going to try when I get home this afternoon.

 

[ponder]

Instead of a screw driver use a hard flat plastic object for leverage just in case you have worries about your paint/leather under the panel.

 

[Nuro]

Around the edges there is not a single screw Trying to google a bit more....

 

[ponder]

Screws are usually around the handle & lever area.

 

[Rouxenator]

Be careful when you remove it, in the middle of the panel it will clip to the door with special door clips, if you break those you are are in for a hell of time trying to get them replaced. When I had smash and grab installed in my Astra they ruined the clips and I had to buy a pack of 20 from GM, it was pretty pricey and very tricky to fit into the door.

 

[Nuro]

Necro...

For future reference, finally got around to it today.
1. Slide the interior door handle cover towards the front. You might need to use a screwdriver/flat plastic to unclip it. What worked for me was moving the door opening lever as if to open the door. There is now a nice gap to get in a screw driver, and it's not visible should you scratch it.
2. There will be two big torx screws in the handle, get them out.
3. Unscrew the door lock button.
4. Start loosening the bottom of the panel. Mine took some force before it came loose.
5. Work you way around the edges, the top part is the last to go.
6. The panel needs to be lifted up to actually come free.
7. Be careful of the electric window wires, tweeter wires and door handle cable.

Reverse the process to get it back together. Just take care not to damage the plastic clips.

 

[ponder]

You sure do move fast, a whole year later

 

[Nuro]

You sure do move fast, a whole year later

Almost nobody uses the back of the car, so semi forgot about it until I had to cart around some people.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Be careful when you remove it, in the middle of the panel it will clip to the door with special door clips, if you break those you are are in for a hell of time trying to get them replaced. When I had smash and grab installed in my Astra they ruined the clips and I had to buy a pack of 20 from GM, it was pretty pricey and very tricky to fit into the door.

Since the Necro has happened...

You actually went and bought more clips after the guys ruined the clips?
I would have made them replace the clips at their own damn expense...

 

[Rouxenator]

You actually went and bought more clips after the guys ruined the clips?
I would have made them replace the clips at their own damn expense...

Long story short, I won the smash and grab for writing a winning letter to CAR magazine long time ago. Only found the door panels were dodgy a month or so later