Question about fixing door trim

Post your E12 technical questions and comments here. Please, no off-topic posts.

Moderators: Mike W., Pierre

Post Reply
grey528i
Posts: 30
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2013 8:40 pm

Question about fixing door trim

Post by grey528i »

The trim on the driver's side door is no longer held firmly by the trim clips. It will pop onto them, but after a few good closings of the door it works its way loose.

It seems to me that it is either the clips or the trim piece.

The clips do not look different/worn in an obvious way.
I have not noticed anything with the trim piece.

Does anyone have advice on how best to proceed? One way would be to buy a whole bunch of clips to replace, but as I mentioned it is not obvious to me that they are overly worn. What would you recommend?
User avatar
RonDwyer
Posts: 470
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:01 pm
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Post by RonDwyer »

Call Marshall at 002 Salvage in Hayward. 510-782-2002
Ron Dwyer
Milwaukee, Wi

14 Audi A8L TDI
03 530i
08 F150 4X4
User avatar
RandyM
Posts: 95
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 4:01 pm
Location: Ojai, Ca

Post by RandyM »

New clips are available cheap
1981 Sapphire blue automatic
Hit 200k mi. on Fathers Day 2016!
250k October 2020
Family owned since new
Route 150 between Ojai and Santa Barbara
grey528i
Posts: 30
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2013 8:40 pm

Post by grey528i »

I take it from the last reply that the best bet is to just replace the clips and see whether that fixes it. If it does, then the issue is with the clips.

Thanks.
User avatar
RonDwyer
Posts: 470
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:01 pm
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Post by RonDwyer »

Or you could drill a 3/8 or larger Tek screw through the trim and the door, that will hold it. Kinda ugly though. I prefer originality.
Ron Dwyer
Milwaukee, Wi

14 Audi A8L TDI
03 530i
08 F150 4X4
User avatar
CabbageFumes
Posts: 342
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 7:07 pm
Location: Funkytown

Post by CabbageFumes »

RonDwyer wrote:Or you could drill a 3/8 or larger Tek screw through the trim and the door, that will hold it. Kinda ugly though. I prefer originality.
Was that really your advice? I thought it was a joke, but I think you are actually serious.
:shock:
Fiver 06/87
Sixteen-O-Two-er 11/69
User avatar
CabbageFumes
Posts: 342
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 7:07 pm
Location: Funkytown

Post by CabbageFumes »

Before you buy anything, try to take one of the clips off of the door skin. It's not as easy as you may think. It's actually a pain because the center locking dowels can't be pushed in because the inner door impact frame is directly behind the clips and prevents this.
With the moulding off, get some small pliers and make sure the edge that goes behind the clip's edge is flat and not rolled over. If you see nothing wrong with the clips you have, save yourself the time replacing clips, it's most likely not your problem.
Fiver 06/87
Sixteen-O-Two-er 11/69
User avatar
Mike W.
Posts: 2889
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:12 am
Location: Sonoma County

Post by Mike W. »

I'd just change out the clips, they do seem to wear with age, especially if they've been off once or twice. My technique on removing the clips is to drill a very small hole part way in, then screw a sheet rock screw in a little bit and use a pliers to extract it. And don't forget the one that bolts on and doesn't just snap in.
Mike W.



02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
grey528i
Posts: 30
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2013 8:40 pm

Post by grey528i »

Thanks for the pointer on removing the clips. I went ahead and ordered new clips (and they arrived today). As a temporary fix, I twisted the clips a little so they are slightly off angle. It seems to hold a little better, but I bet replacing the clips will do the trick.
User avatar
RonDwyer
Posts: 470
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:01 pm
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Post by RonDwyer »

Fumes: Coming from a guy with a picture of hitler for an avatar I would have least expected you to be one to take me seriously on the Tek screw suggestion. :D
Ron Dwyer
Milwaukee, Wi

14 Audi A8L TDI
03 530i
08 F150 4X4
Post Reply