TH3_FRB

I'm having a hard time getting the front door panels off my 2003 A4. I have some pages from the bently from a 2002...which I've found to be different from the 03. So far I have the plastic fiberglass strip off and the 4 screws behind it out, the single screw on the bottom edge of the door out, and the two screws out from behind the oval dummy panel under the handle on the driver side...I can't seem to find anything similar on the passenger side although there is a small hole under the handle. Next the Bently says to "Unclip door trim" and references a little figure showing the door clips, then "Raise door trim upward approx. 20cm out from door shell". How the hell do I "unclip door trim"? I've tugged in all directions on the door handle and don't seem to get any movement. The figure showing the door clips makes it look like I need to be inside the door to press the catches and unclip them...which makes no sense to me.

woofpup

You have it correct (it is the same for 03s as it is for 02s - I've worked on both), but the clips are very strong. You're supposed to use a tool that slides between the door and the panel and separates them when you squeeze the handles together. If you do it by hand, you have to get a very good grip along the bottom edge of the panel and try to pull both sides straight out. If one side pulls out before the other, it's easy to end up with broken clips (they cost about $0.30 a piece at the dealer, IIRC).

On the passenger door, there IS a screw behind that hole in the handle - it's back and up at an angle - use a flashlight to look for it.

TH3_FRB

and the only thing holding the panel on now is the clips. I bought 12 from the dealer so in theory I can break all of them on both doors. So basically just get a good grip on the front and back of the door panel and pull real hard? The clips just pop straight out? I was worried there was some other attachments or hooks like the one on the end of the fiberglass trim strip that I'd break off if I forced it.

AggregatVier

It's a real pain otherwise to get it back into the hole without it dropping into the door.

If you look on the bottom edge of the door panel where it meets up with the door, you'll see a notch in the plastic. This is where you can put a round shank (screwdriver or pilot drift) to pry the panel away from the door frame.

The door clips are part number 8E0 868 243 and you WILL break some. Get about 10 to cover yourself. They cost about 90 cents from the dealer and a little less from Clair.

Horrido!

AggregatVier

Be careful: you'll still have the door lock cable and electrical harness to disconnect.

TH3_FRB

Right...but as long as I don't rip the panel away I should be good...

TH3_FRB

Already got myself 12 clips...time to go break some sh*t