Trying to get a little lighter on my project Spec E36 and trying to remove the window mechanism. Can't seem to figure out how to get this thing off. To tight for a screw driver (right angle would work I guess) but I suspect I'm missing something pretty simple. The circles are what appears to be holding it to the door panel but it's screwed from the inside. A little help!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/adis_daddy/E36%20Interior/Img0106.jpg

Have you tried drilling them out?
The ones in my car were rivets but I can't tell from the picture whether are rivets or torx screws.

Yep, they're rivets. Drill 'em out.

Jay

and go find a decent bit too.. it'll make things MUCH easier ;)

Yep, they're rivets. Drill 'em out.

Jay

and go find a decent bit too.. it'll make things MUCH easier ;)

+1

I used a 1/4" drill bit and then a 1/4" punch.

I left that part in place and just removed the motor to fit a doorcard. Otherwise you have to find another way to hold your window up. You can easily glue in perspex windows on a sedan, but it's a little more difficult on a coupe :)

Cut the door pannel out. That is just extra weight anyway.

Cut the door pannel out. That is just extra weight anyway.

To the OP: You might want to check the rules before going at it with a cutting wheel...as far as I remember, the "Prepared" cage rules (used for SE36) require that the stock door sheet metal remain untouched unless you use a NASCAR bar setup. Besides, it's a SE36...how much good does it do to lose a couple pounds from the door when the car has to meet a minimum weight?

You have to do a lot of stripping to meet the minimum weight. I did us nascar bars in my Spec E36, and you are correct you have to cover the door panels with allum if they are not nascar bars.
Depending on the model and year of the car the minimum weight is 2750.

If you need to lose weight to get down to minimum, I bet keeping the door sheet metal and doing a X with the cage will save some significant weight over cutting out the door sheet metal and using NASCAR bars.

If you need to lose weight to get down to minimum, I bet keeping the door sheet metal and doing a X with the cage will save some significant weight over cutting out the door sheet metal and using NASCAR bars.
You are correct. I feel alot safer with the NASCAR bars. So I had to drol weight many other places.:help

To the OP: You might want to check the rules before going at it with a cutting wheel...as far as I remember, the "Prepared" cage rules (used for SE36) require that the stock door sheet metal remain untouched unless you use a NASCAR bar setup. Besides, it's a SE36...how much good does it do to lose a couple pounds from the door when the car has to meet a minimum weight?

Really good point Brian, as always. With my fat ass in there minimum weight won't be a problem:stickoutt. Per the rules, the door stays in tact. If I go Nascar door bars and I haven't decided yet then they can be cut out.

K

You have to do a lot of stripping to meet the minimum weight. I did us nascar bars in my Spec E36, and you are correct you have to cover the door panels with allum if they are not nascar bars.
Depending on the model and year of the car the minimum weight is 2750.

I'll have to read the rules again but I didn't think they had to be covered. I was under the impression that if they are then .060 thickness aluminum was the minimum. I'll re-read though.

Thanks.

K

You have to do a lot of stripping to meet the minimum weight. I did us nascar bars in my Spec E36, and you are correct you have to cover the door panels with allum if they are not nascar bars.
Depending on the model and year of the car the minimum weight is 2750.
In reading the rules again para. 7L states "The OEM front driver and passenger door decorative panels may be replaced with 0.060" aluminum or a comparable material, securely attached to the door."

I'm not interested in undermining any rules and I don't consider not covering the doors as saving much credible weight but the rules say "may" not "must".

Just a thought. Anyone running Spec E36 currently want to clarify?

K

I am running SpecE36. My doors are not covered with allum. You don't have to do it.
Although if you do place the allum on the doors make sure the door can still open from the inside...
SORRY I QUOTED WRONG EARLIER!!!!

In reading the rules again para. 7L states "The OEM front driver and passenger door decorative panels may be replaced with 0.060" aluminum or a comparable material, securely attached to the door."

I'm not interested in undermining any rules and I don't consider not covering the doors as saving much credible weight but the rules say "may" not "must".

Just a thought. Anyone running Spec E36 currently want to clarify?

K

I don't do SE36 but if it's like other classes you'll also find a paragraph that states any door next to a seat must have a covering over it unless NASCAR bars are being used.

I'd say the "may" or "must" refers to replacing the panel, not having a panel.

Jay

Okay then, I will go back through the general rules. Thanks Jay.