Door Panels

[Manny1337]

Okay well on my 98 camry the front door panels have an issue. Where the controls are for the window and power locks and whatnot the door panel pulls out from that cluster. Is there an easy fix for this or will i have to resort to new panels?

[skuttduck]

I'm not quite sure from your description what is coming out there. I've had my door panels off quite a few times to get at the speakers, and to replace the factory tweeters.

Have you checked the DIY on how to remove the door panels? If not I would start with that and see if you can determine what is causing this. Maybe you are missing a screw?

I'd say without getting the door panel off, it is hard to determine what is causing your issue. Maybe you have the handle that needs to be glued or something.

Here is the thread on how to remove the door panel http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t145402.html

The hardest part for me was removing the door handle. I had to use my crowbar the first time. Now I can get it with my screw driver.

[bcp477]

Unfortunately, they ALL do this (that is, Camrys of that vintage). I have a '97 with the same issue - EVERY Camry with that door panel design I've seen, including '97, '98 and '99 cars, all will have that problem eventually. It is due to bad design - the portion of the door panel into which the window/ lock switch block fits is too weak and "sags" (for want of a better description), causing the gap to develop next to the switch panel. This is only exacerbated by removal and reinstallation of the switch panel. The '96 and earlier cars had a different door panel - and this doesn't occur with them..., neither does it seem to happen with the later cars. As for a solution, I've never found one. The only way to fix this, in the end, is to reinforce the door panel so that the critical area will not sag, or install some sort of device to "pull" the sagging portion in, to close the gap. I've considered this problem from all angles - and given up - as I don't think the results will be worth the effort. In my opinion, replacing the whole door panel will be a waste, because the new one will most likely do the same thing, in time.

[donbryce]

I have a 1996 Camry, and the door switchplate and the opening in the armrest shown in the removal link writeup look just like mine. What was happening with mine, the rear part of the switchplate kept working its way up and out of the hole. Some idiot had pried the thing up and broken off the plastic lip that is on the switchplate, supposed to hold it down. I got some tinsnips and fashioned a new lip/clip from thick aluminum, pop riveted it to the switchplate, and it hasn't moved a millimeter since. Sorry I didn't take pics. If yours is the same problem, it should be as easy to fix as mine was. To remove the switchplate again, I just push the plate forward so the lip/clip nearly clears the edge of the opening, then pry up. A bit of double back carpet tape is useful to hold things in place if the original piece isn't too busted up or missing.

[cheeba]

Does anybody know if what DonBryce posted will work for a Gen 4? Mine has the same problem.