removing door top chrome frames

[singleton]

Hello all, how easy is it to remove the top frames from front and rear doors on a 4 door saloon? Do you remove window regulator first? and does the glass all come out with the frame? Is it easier to remove the lock mechanisms 1st? Ive got some scrap doors with good chrome top frames I want to remove before i scrap them so any advice would be great! How many bolts hold them in? cheers

[PSL184]

They are a bit of a PITA... Doors locks/ handles have to come out and glass comes out with the frames. Lots of screws and bolts including some that hold a strengthening panel in place. At least when you have stripped your scrap ones you will learn the tricks for your own doors......

[singleton]

I might get the grinder out and cut the skin off so can see all the inside fittings easy, thanks for the advice!

[les]

That's a bit ott! just remove the door cards and you will see what needs doing.

[dp]

That's a bit ott! just remove the door cards and you will see what needs doing.

Agreed, pull off the door card and it'll make sense. 2 or 3 bolts at back outer edge of door below lock, might be hidden by rubber bungs

Door lock will come away with three screws at back edge and a split pin to the pull rod for the inner door opener. Jiggle everything about & all comes out.

Ebay or give away the door lock and bits you don't want. Someone might even want the doors.

*(Unless something unique about a 4 door cf 2 door)

[stevey]

its not too bad to get them off. the hardest bolts are the ones under the quarter light at the front. the similare bolts at the back are easier to get at when you take the 2 bungs out. Take the locks off first and the escutchen plates. Then unbolt everything and lift clear of the glass, if your only replacing the tops. New weather strips at the back are hard to fit as the window doesnt go all the way down, so replace these before the tops go back as it lets the glass move a bit more side to side if that makes sense.

[rayofleamington]

all 4-door saloon doors had stainless steel door tops - therefore it really isn't worth removing them, as any other 4-door saloon door will already have them. The only similar door without the stainless steel top was for the van/pickup which had painted steel versions.

The part worth having is the stainless steel quarterlight - as the steel versions rot away, so there's always a willing buyer for these.