51 41 000 Removing and installing left or right front door trim panel

Special tools required:

When working on trim panel components, make sure that visible surfaces are not scratched or damaged (e.g. by sharp-edged tools).

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove BLIND COVER OR TWEETER COVER

Release screw (1).

Tightening torque 51 41 1AZ .

Fig 1: Identifying Front Door Trim Panel Screw

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Passenger's side:

Carefully lever out the handle cover (1) using special tool 00 9 325 , first at the top and then down to the bottom screw.
Swing handle cover (1) inward and then detach it toward the bottom.
Release screws behind.
Tightening torque 51 41 1AZ .

Fig 2: Detaching Handle Cover Using Special Tool (00 9 325)

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Passenger's side:

Installation note:

Retaining tabs (2) and retaining hooks (3) of trim handle (1) must not be damaged.

Fig 3: Identifying Retaining Tabs And Safety Hooks On Handle

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Driver's side:

Feed out handle cover (1) without using tools in the area of the upper retaining lugs (2) toward the inside and up.
Release screws behind.
Tightening torque 51 41 1AZ .

Installation note:

Retaining tabs (2) must not be damaged or missing.

Fig 4: Locating Screws On Door Trim Panel

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Release screws on door trim panel (3) at bottom.

Carefully unclip door trim panel (3) using special tool 00 9 325 , beginning at the bottom and proceeding all around (4).

NOTE: Mount the special tool directly next to the mounting clip and apply leverage against the inner door panel. Continue unclipping the part without using the tool if possible. Very high leverage solely on the edge of the door trim panel leads to permanent deformation at the edge.

Finally, unclamp the part at the weather strip at the top.

Installation note:

If necessary, replace any faulty clamps (3) of weather strip (1). Note that the first clamp (3) differs from the others (3).

Fig 5: Inserting Window Cavity Cover Strip Below Cover

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Fold open front door trim panel (1) slightly and unlock and disconnect all plug connections (2).

Fig 6: Identifying Front Door Trim Panel And Plug Connections

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Feed out door trim panel via linkage of locking button and detach Bowden cable (1) from door lock (2).

Fig 7: Identifying Bowden Cable And Door Lock

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Installation note:

Foam ring (2) on guide pin of door trim panel (1) must not be missing or damaged.

Check that the Bowden cable (3) is correctly positioned.

Clip (4) and (5) must not be damaged or missing.

Clip (4) = white

Clip (5) = grey

Fig 8: Locating Bowden Cable And Clips

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Installation note:

After assembling the door trim panel proceed as follows:

Open side window
Lock with ignition key
Check for ease of movement on locking button linkage
If necessary, align linkage