Have a question or want to start a discussion? Post it! No Registration Necessary. 
Now with pictures!
Threaded View
Subject
posted on March 5, 2005, 4:35 pm
Reply
Save
Print
My Zafira's passenger door wont open from the inside - the handle to
do so has gone floppy, indicating the cable release to the door lock
has come loose. Ive not been too unhappy about this, since in effect
it acts as a child lock in the front and only a minor inconvenience.
However, my MOT is now due and the car failed it today because of the
non opening from the inside. (I didnt realise it was part of the MOT!)
Anyway, Im having problems removing the trim.
I have released all the clips and screws surrounding the trim. The cap
in the door handle reveals a screw and behind the speaker. Both are
removed. Similarly the electric window "slot" has been pulled out and
electrics disconnected. There now isnt anything obvious left to
remove!
I have managed to locate a Haines manual online, but it appears to
talk about just lifting the bulky plastic handle out. Mine appears to
be rock solid and wont budge.
Looking behind that handle from underneath, I can see there are still
more fixings at that point - but whilst I can just about reach them,
doing anything (or indeed what to do) is another matter.
I obviously dont want to start forcing things and end up needing a new
trim, but reluctant (almost embarrased) to be thinking of taking it to
a dealer to take it off!
It seems it just a matter of removing the large handle grip. The
Haines manual has a picture of it just being pulled - but there must
be more left to do! To be honest, Ive always found the Haines
descriptions to be in a foreign language and not particulary helpful!
Has any kind soul have any knowledge of how this Zafira trim should
get released or any helpful advice?
The model is a Zafira club 2001 if that makes a difference.
Getting desperate now, since the MOT expired today (yeh I know - Ive
left it late!), but this being part of the test has taken me by
suprise!
Thanks in advance....
--
www.senaction.com
Re: Zafira - removal of door trim?
Yes and no!
By looking up from the floor with the trim forced apart as much as
possible, I can see what appears to be 2 pretty large metal
connectors. Underneath those there also appears to be a plastic clip -
which I presume needs to be pulled upwards judging by the channeling.
The Haines manual does not mention anything about those screws or
clip. It simply says pull the handle!
I appreciate this handle is the key to removing - but from the inside
(under the trim) there is no way I could reach that by hand (its hard
enough just to see it!), so I can only think the handle itself does
come out by other means. ie it doesnt appear to be a single moulded
peice, so maybe that seperates to reveal these screws for removal.
Problem is, it doesnt want to seperate (Ive tried) and the manual
makes no reference to that either!
Have to admit, I am rapidly going off this car, having just had to
spend £85 to have the dashboard light changed (supposedly by removal
of the dash itself - but it didnt seem to be the case when I was
viewing from a window in the dealership!) Nothing is ever simple
anymore! ;-(
--
www.senaction.com
Re: Zafira - removal of door trim?
OK thanks..... Though I'm still not clear!
Just so I am certain what I should be tugging at.....
The plastic itself is in two parts. The higher part houses the
switches. I assume this is not involved.
The lower part has the recess you would grip. Inside this is the plug,
which I have removed and undone the screw. The outside *side* is I
presume the textured plastic you refer?
I have attempted to prise this away from the material of the panel,
but whilst it looks like it may be in two parts because of a slight
divet that runs the length, Ive not been convinced by my attempts that
its meant to pull apart. Is the lower part in one peice or does it
seperate?
Im pretty concerned on getting this fact clear before I apply any more
pressure - and make sure the point I apply pressure too - and the
direction, is the correct way!
Just hope once I manage to do so, the cable I need to sort out (for
the opener to the lock) isnt a problem - and then it all goes back
together ok!
BTW - does the trim itself split. ie the top part is molded plastic -
should this come away from the material lower part - or does the whole
panel come away in one peice?
Cheers
--
www.senaction.com
Re: Zafira - removal of door trim?
Cant see anything under the electric window switches, but there is one
behind the speaker.
At the bottom of the well for the "handle" there is a rubber covered
screw, which I have removed. I cant see anything else externally where
there is anything to remove or cosmetically covered.
As mentioned, the Haines manual looks to be saying it should just lift
up, but even wedging a screwdriver under one end, or at the bottom
doenst seem to budge it. ie It looks certain that there is something
else retaining it in place - but I am buggered if I can see it on the
outside. I have mentioned if you look at it from the otherside, (ie
looking behind the trim from the floor) it does look like there are 2
screws - but there is absolutely no way these could be reached -
unless the pocket part of the "handle" gets removed. I know this needs
to be taken out - hence my original question - but I dont seem any
nearer to getting there!
--
www.senaction.com
Re: Zafira - removal of door trim?
Horah!
After ringing a couple of Vauxhall places (who were attempting to be
helpfull - but giving different advice!), Ive finally manged to dig
the well part of the armrest out to reveal the final 2 screws holding
it all in place. (The secret was doing so from the furthest forward
part of the join) It was still a strugle to remove the hole panel,
but came lose.
It was easy to spot the problem with the release cable. It had popped
out - so not an issue - however I am not convinced it wont happen
again. I did use a small cable tie to try to hold it in place, which
will help, but with constant use, may also come lose eventually.
It all went back together without much trouble.
Many thanks for your help.
--
www.senaction.com
Re: Zafira - removal of door trim?
What was also annoying was the fact when I first enquired, they quoted
£60 for the job - and the clincher was the 12 month warrenty. The
warrenty turned out only to be 3 months! Of course I can't prove that
was what I was told originally, but I know I could have got it cheaper
with a longer warrenty than given. I will make sure I get their name
and repeat the details next time!!!!!
--
www.senaction.com
Re: Zafira - removal of door trim?
solid. What you need is a plastic 'wedge' to push down at the front of this
handle to release the 'clip' that holds this part. The one that I use is
actually a genuine mercedes service tool and BMW also have a similar tool.
It is literally a black plastic wedge made from hard plastic. an other
option is a plastic 'putty stick' used by glaziers and windscreen fitters
which will also do the job without damaging the handle and surrounding trim.
You could use a big flat screwdriver but as Vauxhall use relatively sort
plastic for their door trims then you could easily do some damage !! If you
live near gloucester then you could bring the car to my works one saturday
morning and I would gladly remove the offending trim for you !
Hope this helps
Radar
Site Timeline
- » Immobiliser problem - car cut out and won't start
- — Next thread in » Car Maintenance
-
- » Mondeo battery!
- — Previous thread in » Car Maintenance
-
- » L-o-t-u-s again - will I never learn?
- — Newest thread in » Car Maintenance
-
- » L-o-t-u-s again - will I never learn?
- — The site's Newest Thread. Posted in » Car Maintenance
-
XML Sitemap