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Remove sliding door panel?

Good job. I sanded the latch to make it work as it was sooo tight (2008 SE)

I wonder if they absorb moisture or swell with age or something (or the metal bit swells with rust...)
 
Good job. I sanded the latch to make it work as it was sooo tight (2008 SE)

I wonder if they absorb moisture or swell with age or something (or the metal bit swells with rust...)
Might have to consider a slight sanding job if it happens again! Would expect a more robust mechanism but one of those Cali things I guess! Thanks for letting me know your solution :)
 
Get some lubrication into the lock assembly while you have the card off. The rod that comes down from the internal door handle is a known weak point and can fail if the lock gets stiff.
 
Thanks for the update Mark. Just spent my Saturday using this thread to fix 'Table in the Door' issue on my 2006 LHD model. Seems odd that VW got the design wrong on the early models like mine - Then updated it to still go wrong on the later models like you have. They moved the relase handle further up the door card and re-designed the mechanism to seemingly function just as badly as the old one did. Mine is okay now thanks to all the help above.

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Thanks for the update Mark. Just spent my Saturday using this thread to fix 'Table in the Door' issue on my 2006 LHD model. Seems odd that VW got the design wrong on the early models like mine - Then updated it to still go wrong on the later models like you have. They moved the relase handle further up the door card and re-designed the mechanism to seemingly function just as badly as the old one did. Mine is okay now thanks to all the help above.

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So true that they design things to be just as bad on later editions! This was just a number of self 'fixes' I've had to undertake which still astounds me for something that costs so much! Glad to hear you got things sorted and the thread was of help.
 
I have the same issue as previous posters. Previous advice noted about removing the entire trim, however:
1. where are the 4 screws at the bottom? If they are behind the small trim along the bottom, I can't seem to prize that bit of trim off to access them
2. the main door panel is tucked in behind the window trim at the top - how do I get it out from behind the window trim without removing the window trim?
3. is it possible to do all of this with the door closed? As I can't seem to get the top right bit (looking from the inside) out when the door is shut.
This can obviously all be done without taking the entire door off its hinges (that was my next move!) but a couple of specific bits of guidance on the points above would really be appreciated!
 
unless it has changed.

1) open the sliding door, lie on your back on the floor with your head under the door and you will see the screws

2) it just kind of wiggled out I think

3) absolutely no, you need to open the door to get the trim off ( but obviously don't slide it away ) . no need to remove the door, that is the path to madness
 
It was a little while ago that I did mine but from what I recall:
1- I didn't have 4 'screws' at the bottom, there were two 'christmas tree' yellow retaining clips on each bottom corner, these could be seen lying on the ground underneath the door when open.
2 - once you start working round from bottom to top, popping the retaining clips as you do, you should then be able to see how and where the trim starts, ends and is fixed.
3 - don't remove the door! It need to be done with the door open slightly but that does make access to all points quite tricky but not impossible.
Worth noting - some of the yellow retaining clips broke while doing this as needed to use some force to remove the trim and get to the mechanisms. I'd suggest getting a few in if needed ahead of the job, just in case.
Hope that helps and good luck!
 
dealer removed my door panel to change door lock under warranty, they actually broke the door trim and didn’t replace various broken clips, so be careful removing the trim. (Panel had to be plastic welded to fix it )

I have a photo somewhere of the reverse of the door panel, showing the clip positions, I will try to find it and post it here.
 
Here you go

rear of the panel

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Clip at the bottom both side looking upward lying on my back

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this photo was lifted from another thread (fixing the table clip in mech)
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the red arrow points to where the dealer broke the original weld (top is joined to the bottom section )and had to be repaired by the dealer, so be careful when working to remove the top of the panel

IMG_0961.jpeg
 
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I have just been out and taken a picture - here is mine , 3 of the 4 screws arrowed. You can see I am lying on the floor looking at the bottom of the door. If you don't have the screws then happy days , I guess you just need to start pulling the trim off there somehow.

Actually looking at that picture looks like I never put the screws back :rolleyes:

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Thanks everyone - that's really helpful. Will report back with success / failure in due course!
 
Thanks for this. Sorted mine today by reading this thread.
 
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