Z3/M door work...

[Randy Forbes]

Just posting up some useful data (links & pics) for anyone doing door work in the future.

Ron Stygar has the TIS procedure and inner door panel fasteners here: http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/int...oor_panel.html

Including this money-saving shot:



The remainder are from my work in the past couple of days:

































Continued...

[Randy Forbes]

Continued:

[Vinci]

Excellent reference photos.

What was the issue you were working on? My driver-side lock actuator has been acting up sporadically (usually when it is coldest outside), so I may be doing something similar before long.

As an aside, do you have a method for getting the door panels seated correctly at the top? Last time I had mine off, I had to fight it for a lot longer than I would have expected.

[bluefire]

Wow, Randy - thanks for all the photos. Those will come in handy!

+1 on any tips regarding putting the door panels back in.

[Markl006]

Randy with more photos, you are the king... Thanks Randy.

[Ian 2.0]

I'm curious Randy, how did you remove the airbag? Just the thought of it scares me LOL.

[Ron Stygar]

Hoe did you fix the bushing?

[rjcoston]

Thanks Randy. Do you have the part number for the cover plate tool?

[Randy Forbes]

Excellent reference photos.

What was the issue you were working on? My driver-side lock actuator has been acting up sporadically (usually when it is coldest outside), so I may be doing something similar before long.

As an aside, do you have a method for getting the door panels seated correctly at the top? Last time I had mine off, I had to fight it for a lot longer than I would have expected.

Your definition of "cold" isn't carrying much weight with me right now (BELOW ZERO HERE).

His key wouldn't unlock from the driver's side. I bent the connecting rod slightly to take out the slack, and it's working again.

On this car (Coupe) I actually used some Gummi-Phlege to lube the (hidden) top of the panel (under the rubber seal) and on the seal where it goes onto the door; the seal is attached to the panel and then slipped onto the door while holding the lower part out about a foot (12"). A "weak" dishwashing soap solution would accomplish the same feat.

I'm curious Randy, how did you remove the airbag? Just the thought of it scares me LOL.

I stood on the outside of the door and kept my hands away from the front of the bag. I was more concerned about removing the plug...

Hoe did you fix the bushing?

I didn't have time to get a replacement, as he's due to arrive tomorrow. But it does look like it's a listed part, so anyone thinking about doing this work should probably get them in advance (one__1__per side).

Have to worry about how to change then...

Thanks Randy. Do you have the part number for the cover plate tool?

Not offhand (might be in Ron's link above) but honestly, it would be so easy to make one.

[Vinci]

Your definition of "cold" isn't carrying much weight with me right now (BELOW ZERO HERE).

That's alright. You can get your kicks in when I'm complaining in July.

Not offhand (might be in Ron's link abouve) but honestly, it would be so easy to make one.

I made one out of a heavy-gauge wire hanger. Nowhere near as elegant as the official tool, but it worked the couple times I needed to use it. The flat edges on the official tool would make it much easier to use than mine.

[Ron Stygar]

Pin tool is now $76.74r



Hook tool is now $34.51r

[IslandS62]

Islands62 Hook tool:

Bondo dent puller from NAPA $5.00 (looks exactly like special tool above, except no finished edge)

IslandS62 Pin tool:

Needle nose pliers inserted into 2 of the notches of door lock retaining ring.

Thanks for the post, and photos though, great info!

[RoccinStrybs]

Thank you for the great post!

My drivers side door lock has stopped working and I was nervous about taking the handle out because of my lack of knowledge. (I got through the window sliders when working with the door but nothing further) So thanks for posting all of the pictures now I feel like I can tackle this.

[Randy Forbes]

Pin tool is now $76.74r

I sacrificed an 8-point 11/16" socket (that's never been used in 35+ years) and about a half-hour's time.

IslandS62 Pin tool:

Needle nose pliers inserted into 2 of the notches of door lock retaining ring.

Thanks for the post, and photos though, great info!

I used those to get the nut off (hence the double-layer of tape). But, I wanted to make sure is was on securely before the guy heads back to Virginia; and with no scratches in the door!

I'm all for using what you've got, I just happen to be better equipped than your average enthusiast

[bluefire]

I'm curious Randy, how did you remove the airbag? Just the thought of it scares me LOL.

I think Ron Stygar's procedure recommends disconnecting the battery.

Does that mean the airbag cannot deploy?

[rocknroad]

this is most excellent. my key will no longer unlock the passenger door.

[rjcoston]

Hook tool is now $34.51r



Pin tool is now $76.74r

Islands62 Hook tool:

Bondo dent puller from NAPA $5.00 (looks exactly like special tool above, except no finished edge)

IslandS62 Pin tool:

Needle nose pliers inserted into 2 of the notches of door lock retaining ring.

Thanks for the post, and photos though, great info!

Thanks Ron and IslandS62.

[Ron Stygar]

I sacrificed an 8-point 11/16" socket (that's never been used in 35+ years) and about a half-hour's time.

I used those to get the nut off (hence the double-layer of tape). But, I wanted to make sure is was on securely before the guy heads back to Virginia; and with no scratches in the door!

And you can torque it if you want. (10 Nm)

[Randy Forbes]

And you can torque it if you want. (10 Nm)

Thanks, yes, always an advantage when converting a drive socket. I better go back and check that; at "hand-tight" it's probably a couple Newtons on the light side.

[Petra]

8.5 Nm? Isn't that like 6.3 ft-lbs? Hmm... I think that my integrated torque wrench may have over-tightened those a bit when I changed my window sliders

[Ron Stygar]

8.5 Nm? Isn't that like 6.3 ft-lbs? Hmm... I think that my integrated torque wrench may have over-tightened those a bit when I changed my window sliders

8.5 X .737

Screws are one use.

I'm curious Randy, how did you remove the airbag? Just the thought of it scares me LOL.

[clintjg]

Thanks for all of the detailed shots' and specs Ron and Randy.

[GBimmer]

Well this looks familiar...

this is what was broken on mine yesterday:



going to try to weld it today if possible. Anyone know if this is part is just potmetal or is it stamped sheet metal? It looks like stamped and coated so I think I can just grind it, weld it, and paint it. The part that looks like a woman's leg (perv alert!) is spot welded to the part that had the teeth. pretty poor design (except that part of it looks like a woman's leg which is never a bad thing...).

[enigmalss]

Anyone have an idea of what may be the prob with my driver's side lock:

It WILL open and lock via the key, but it's "sluggish". By that I mean, just not as crisp of a "pop" into/out of the lock position as the passenger door. I feel like I have to "lock/unlock" it 2x to really get it up/down.

And please no grief about the lack of cool profile pics/quotes...I finally gathered enough scratch for my dream M coupe...so I'm working a lot of overtime! Ha!

[Randy Forbes]

Anyone have an idea of what may be the prob with my driver's side lock:

It WILL open and lock via the key, but it's "sluggish". By that I mean, just not as crisp of a "pop" into/out of the lock position as the passenger door. I feel like I have to "lock/unlock" it 2x to really get it up/down.

And please no grief about the lack of cool profile pics/quotes...I finally gathered enough scratch for my dream M coupe...so I'm working a lot of overtime! Ha!

Sounds like it could use a light degreasing (cleaning of dried/hardened grease/parafin)and lubricating with some light oil.

You'll probably have to get inside the door to do that, but I wouldn't recommend removing any components, just the interior panel (careful around the fastener clips, as they will pull out of the panel easily.

Try spraying some brake parts cleaner in through the latch opening first though__while protecting the surrounding trim areas__as you might get lucky. Follow that up with a light lithium spray oil, applied the same way.