Corolla Front Door Replacement (door skin ws. door shell)

Hello,
After minor accident I'm facing a task of replacing my Corolla 96 front
door. I was able to find multiple "door skin" parts on internet, but
I'm not sure if that what I need. The pictures do not show any back
side details of the door skin, and I'm not sure if that is basically
flat metall without any back side reinforsments or complete portion of
the door. If this part is intergally complete, I can handle a task of
relocating rest of the parts from an old door to new one. But I afraid
the door skin is indeed only skin, without any sceleton welded to it on
the back, and I have to buy door shell instead.
Any one knows the answer?
Thanks

"val_99" <val.kravets@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1166847431.074274.277680@h40g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hello,
> After minor accident I'm facing a task of replacing my Corolla 96 front
> door. I was able to find multiple "door skin" parts on internet, but
> I'm not sure if that what I need. The pictures do not show any back
> side details of the door skin, and I'm not sure if that is basically
> flat metall without any back side reinforsments or complete portion of
> the door. If this part is intergally complete, I can handle a task of
> relocating rest of the parts from an old door to new one. But I afraid
> the door skin is indeed only skin, without any sceleton welded to it on
> the back, and I have to buy door shell instead.
> Any one knows the answer?
> Thanks
>[/color]

A door "skin" usually refers to the exterior formed and cut sheet metal and
not the structural reinforcements and frame. Replacing the skin involves
removing the old skin, caulking, hemming the skin (folding it over the
frame), spot welding, priming, painting, re-installing the weatherstripping

A door assembly or shell refers to the skin, frame, and structural
reinforcements without the weatherstripping, interior trim, window, or
regulator. A new assembly would have to be caulked, primed, finished, and
have the hinges, striker, handles, lock, hardware, regulator, glass,
weatherstripping, and interior pieces removed from the old door and
transferred to the new door.

I would start contacting junk yards.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:e7cc2$458cc238$47c2b532$12045@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "val_99" <val.kravets@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1166847431.074274.277680@h40g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>> Hello,
>> After minor accident I'm facing a task of replacing my Corolla 96 front
>> door. I was able to find multiple "door skin" parts on internet, but
>> I'm not sure if that what I need. The pictures do not show any back
>> side details of the door skin, and I'm not sure if that is basically
>> flat metall without any back side reinforsments or complete portion of
>> the door. If this part is intergally complete, I can handle a task of
>> relocating rest of the parts from an old door to new one. But I afraid
>> the door skin is indeed only skin, without any sceleton welded to it on
>> the back, and I have to buy door shell instead.
>> Any one knows the answer?
>> Thanks
>>[/color]
>
> A door "skin" usually refers to the exterior formed and cut sheet metal
> and not the structural reinforcements and frame. Replacing the skin
> involves removing the old skin, caulking, hemming the skin (folding it
> over the frame), spot welding, priming, painting, re-installing the
> weatherstripping
>
> A door assembly or shell refers to the skin, frame, and structural
> reinforcements without the weatherstripping, interior trim, window, or
> regulator. A new assembly would have to be caulked, primed, finished, and
> have the hinges, striker, handles, lock, hardware, regulator, glass,
> weatherstripping, and interior pieces removed from the old door and
> transferred to the new door.
>
> I would start contacting junk yards.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]

Or get a large can of Bondo and a bunch of sandpaper and spray paint, since
unless the car is outstandingly clean and low mileage, it is, after all, 11
model years old, and probably wouldn't impress a parking valet very much.

A minor accident calls for hammering and filling in with Bondo substance
(ALL METAL is top brand).

"val_99" <val.kravets@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1166847431.074274.277680@h40g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hello,
> After minor accident I'm facing a task of replacing my Corolla 96 front
> door. I was able to find multiple "door skin" parts on internet, but
> I'm not sure if that what I need. The pictures do not show any back
> side details of the door skin, and I'm not sure if that is basically
> flat metall without any back side reinforsments or complete portion of
> the door. If this part is intergally complete, I can handle a task of
> relocating rest of the parts from an old door to new one. But I afraid
> the door skin is indeed only skin, without any sceleton welded to it on
> the back, and I have to buy door shell instead.
> Any one knows the answer?
> Thanks
>[/color]

On 22 Dec 2006 20:17:11 -0800, "val_99" <val.kravets@gmail.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Hello,
>After minor accident I'm facing a task of replacing my Corolla 96 front
>door. I was able to find multiple "door skin" parts on internet, but
>I'm not sure if that what I need. The pictures do not show any back
>side details of the door skin, and I'm not sure if that is basically
>flat metall without any back side reinforsments or complete portion of
>the door. If this part is intergally complete, I can handle a task of
>relocating rest of the parts from an old door to new one. But I afraid
>the door skin is indeed only skin, without any sceleton welded to it on
>the back, and I have to buy door shell instead.
>Any one knows the answer?
>Thanks[/color]

On 22 Dec 2006 20:17:11 -0800, "val_99" <val.kravets@gmail.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Hello,
>After minor accident I'm facing a task of replacing my Corolla 96 front
>door. I was able to find multiple "door skin" parts on internet, but
>I'm not sure if that what I need. The pictures do not show any back
>side details of the door skin, and I'm not sure if that is basically
>flat metall without any back side reinforsments or complete portion of
>the door. If this part is intergally complete, I can handle a task of
>relocating rest of the parts from an old door to new one. But I afraid
>the door skin is indeed only skin, without any sceleton welded to it on
>the back, and I have to buy door shell instead.
>Any one knows the answer?
>Thanks[/color]

A door skin is just that - the skin. It is thinner sheetmetal that
is folded around the edges of the heavier structural stampings that
are the door frame. The window tracks and other items are almost
always mounted solely to the frame and inner door stampings, the skin
is only attached to the frame at the edges.

If the door frame is not damaged or bent, you can swap the whole
skin for a new one - or find a good body man who can shrink the
stretched metal in the dented area and work the dent right out of the
old door skin. With a little time and patience, miracles can be done.

It's a whole lot easier to change out the whole door if you can find
a good one in a wrecking yard, rather than make extensive repairs to
the old one. You paint it to match the car and transfer over the door
panels, handles, side molding trim, etc. to make it match the rest of
the car. Make sure to check the door hinges, latches and hardware -
yours might be in better shape, and you swap them over.

--<< Bruce >>--