1997 328ic Door Panel Repair

I have removed the interior door panel to replace the clips. How do you remove the insert {the part that has the grab handle and the cut-out for the door handle) from the main part of the upholstery panel? This needs to be re-glued. It looks like this was glued to the main panel at the factory , but I can't be sure. I removed the long aluminum bar and it looks like it is still held on somehow by the black plastic piece with the little aluminum plate at the top. It looks like this pries off, but I don't want to experiment and break it. Has anyone made this repair and is this the right way to go about it? Thanks for any input. Have a wonderful Holiday Season however you celebrate it.

This repair cannot be made by mere mortals. I speak from experience.

Look for a better condition set of door panels.

The only other sane option is pay these guys the ~$1k.
http://www.allsherinteriors.com/

Thanks jonesin, I just spent about 4 hours gluing and holding to no avail, looked too easy! Maybe they are seekng revenge for WWII.

Originally Posted by rufus2004

I just spent about 4 hours gluing and holding to no avail, looked too easy!

That's what we've all thought!

Does this mean I should hold off repairing my passenger side power lock?

Not at all. Removing the door panels is easy. Reupholstering them is all but impossible.

Great thanks! I had the part already and had been somewhat fearful, PO told me it took him four hours to put the panel back on or something. Maybe he reupholstered them. (they're in great shape) He was pretty sharp, so when he said that I got a little nervous.

By the way is it an adhesive issue with reupholstering them or just a PITA in general?

It's a combination of the depth of the contours, having material that stretches in to them while being thick enough that the adhesive doesn't bleed through mixed with having no wrinkles/bubbles afterwards. It just is not possible to DIY this and have it turn out as you want it to