Hey, so I got an odd one (at least to me...)

The interior panels on my rear doors seem to be shrinking.... They've been like that as long as I've had my car, but I'm jsut curious to know if anyone else has experienced it. The leather lining on the arm rest doens't fit flush with the door underneith... instead of the lining going straight down, then turning 90 degrees to meet the corner of the arm rest, it sort of swoops down at an angle. I've tried pressing it back into place, but it doesn't stay for more than a second.

It's kind of hard to explain, and I'm sure I'm not doing a good job of it, but does this ring a bell to anyone? It's like the leather "skin" over the door is too small and tight that it won't fit into the cracks.

I don't have any photos of it, but I'll include a diagram.... the black lines being the door itself (and armrest), and the blue line being the leather covering it.

Any clues?

http://imgplace.com/directory/dir4435/1182191818_4165.JPG
http://img98.imageshack.us/my.php?image=doorzj5.jpghttp://img98.imageshack.us/my.php?image=doorzj5.jpg

I think everybody has this problem eventually. I have an idea for vaccum bagging that i have yet to try, I'm sure others have come up with ways for fixing them.

I thought about using a vaccum bag as well. I did furniture for a while. I worry the pressure would crush the fiberboard backing that the panels are made of. I may just re-upholster my door panels myself.

Yeah I have the same problem too, my door panels are falling apart, the heat down here has a big part on it thought

Cool, so it's not just me...

Shame that it happens though. I guess I'm lucky it's only on the rear. The front two doors are practiaclly perfect on the inside! (mind you, the rust creeping up the corners is starting to piss me off, but that's another can of worms...)

How much you think it would run to replace the rear door interiors? Or maybe someone has a nifty fix they've used..?

You can buy panels from the later E34s, they seem to have fixed the problem.

Yeah im looking for them, just my int, is all black, only one ive found are beige.

Count me in the club too!

For some bizzare reason, only the rear doors experience this phenomenon.

The way to fix is to remove the door panel "hockey stick" insert (contrasting color on some cars). Under where said insert is, cut the vinyl/leather to allow it stretch a bit. Re-glue leather as appropriate. The top of the armrest will come out perfect. The bottom might still be funky depending on how much your panel has shrunk.

nope, mine is the opposite. rars are fine, fronts need help!

For some bizzare reason, only the rear doors experience this phenomenon.

The way to fix is to remove the door panel "hockey stick" insert (contrasting color on some cars). Under where said insert is, cut the vinyl/leather to allow it stretch a bit. Re-glue leather as appropriate. The top of the armrest will come out perfect. The bottom might still be funky depending on how much your panel has shrunk.

Not a bad idea, actually.... my driver side "hockey stick" is already hanging loose, soon to be glued back :stickoutt

So basically cut a slit in the material so it'll fit flush, glue it in place, then glue the hockey stick back where it belongs? Sounds like it would work to me... I have the right glue for it, would jsut need a good clamping solution.

Anyone done this before?

I did a write up on this a few months ago and used strips of 1/4" round wood molding to clamp and press the corners into place after drilling holes in the back of the door panel and injecting gorilla glue.
This photo shows how I did it underneath the doorhandle, just use the same method above the door handle.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f238/Baguaman/100_0205.jpg
Hth's
Fred/Houston

The writeup in question works well - despite the Florida inferno, mine are holding up well. Only thing I'd add is to be extra careful with clamping, and to use enough glue. Otherwise, you'll get a sort of stitch effect that looks bad.

ALL E34 door panels regardless of year delaminate and shrink. Even the stitched leather ones sold on some non US spec cars delaminate.

US spec cars have vinyl backings, not leather. Only higher optioned cars, 535/some 530/540/a few late 525 cars have leather stitched door grabs. The inserts are vinyl. The '95 pillowed inserts are supposed to be leather. I have a set on my 535 and that seems to be the case.

Both front and rear delaminate, but for some reason, the rears seem to go first.

It's hard to find a good long term solution that isn't complete replacement because the materials physically change. I've fixed them in the past and they seem to last about a year.

Some people blame this build quality flaw on changes in glues and other materials to make things more environmentally friendly. It's always been my least favorite aspect of the E34. E32 panels don't have this problem, they last forever...

I'm very interested in learning how to reupholster door panels. Can't be that hard, can it?!

I had the same problem. I took the door apart and had it upholstered.

There was a write up a few months ago from someone who used an awl and glue. Was that you Fred in Houston?

I had the same problem. I took the door apart and had it upholstered.

Just curious how much that set you back

There was a write up a few months ago from someone who used an awl and glue. Was that you Fred in Houston?
That be me:) It's holding out just fine. I would use a hair dryer 1st so the vinyl stretches easier and if you use Gorilla glue,make sure you come back to it every 20 minutes or so and flatten out the glue because it will foam and cause bulges and once it's dry you will get a stitching effect.
Be careful clamping or you will get a crease across the whole door.
Hth's
Fred/Houston

Early E36 were notiorius for having the shrinking door panel problem too, but primarily in hot climates. I suspect it affcted all the early '90's BMW's.

Fred In Houston,

I am also experiencing the same shrinking problems on my driver's and rear-driver door panels...Was wondering if you can link your writeup on the fix...I also ordered Leatherique kit to redye my seats...but before redying my seats, i wanted to fix the shrinking door panels first...Appreciate the help :)

AgentB

Fred In Houston,

I am also experiencing the same shrinking problems on my driver's and rear-driver door panels...Was wondering if you can link your writeup on the fix...I also ordered Leatherique kit to redye my seats...but before redying my seats, i wanted to fix the shrinking door panels first...Appreciate the help :)

AgentB
Hi,
Here's the link: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=692566&highlight=fred%2Fhouston
Moroza was kind enough to post it for me. Send me a pm if you have any questions and G'luck!
Fred/Houston

This is one of the reasons I sought out a 1995 e34...they have the "gathered" leather "hockey stick" door panels...and you rarely hear of them having this problem.

I'm going to knock on wood that by bringing this up, mine don't start! :stickoutt

(front door panels)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_306.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_307.jpg

(rear door panels)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_305.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_304.jpg

why couldnt the germans just use regular glue and not be all fancy with silicon glue and heat shrinking?? Such a PITA

thanks bmw