TxFirebird91

Hello,

I'm trying to remove the driver side interior door panel on my 91 Firebird V8 TBI. I've got the door handle itself off as well as the cup holder and most of the panel clips off too. However, the latch is giving me problems. I can't see how to remove it. Most the examples I've seen are of the other type that contain the window power switches as well. My type only has the power locks.

I'm thinking there are screws or rivets that I don't see. Anyone have suggestions on how to remove it?

razor

As long as both screws are still in the panel, the first thing you need to do is pop off the door lock lever/indicator. Take a flathead screwdriver and pry firmly on the back of the lever(the part where the triangle is). It is connected to a rod that runs to an actuator. Once the lever is off, take something small like a precision flathead screwdriver to pry with. Remove the round plastic cover behind the door handle and remove the screw. Then remove the rectangular cover that has the firebird on it and remove the screw behind it.

HCR13

iTrader: (5)

Remove the two torx screws from the trim then it will come off...

TxFirebird91

What would you use to pop off those torx screw covers? I'm afraid I'll scratch them using even a small flathead.

thanks,
TXF

HCR13

iTrader: (5)

I usually just use a small flathead screwdriver, or better yet, a small precision screwdriver, like for watches and such. Just insert it along the edge of the cover and pry it off. It doesn't take much force, it will usually just "pop" right off with minimal pressure. I'm pretty sure the round one is made of out metal. After you get those two screws out, you'll have to fiddle abit with the trim-piece and the handle to get it out...

blacksunshine'91

iTrader: (10)

Just curious, does everyone have torx screws on their door handle trim pieces? My car has always had small 7mm bolts in there. I never knew torx screws were supposed to be in there until I saw a car in the jy last week. So I snagged the torx screws along with all the screw covers from the handle trim. Are the torx screws correct on all '91-92's?

antares57

iTrader: (8)

Had torx screws on my 91 Firebird. Both sides. The service manual does does refer to torx screws and in the figure provided appear to be phillips head screws.

mjwadams

On thing to watch out about the standard power locks/mirrors versions: 2 of the "torx screws" are fake and are just part of the molded plastic. If you try to remove them you will break the plastic.

blacksunshine'91

iTrader: (10)

I saw that the figure looks like phillips head screws, but I attributed that to a generic figure they used for all screws. I didn't see anything in there about torx screws though. Anyone have the parts manual handy?

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Should be one T15 screw on each panel with a philips behind the handle itself in the round hole, like the rest of the GM cars.

Caution: Replacement door handles DO NOT come with a mount for the rear screw on that type trim piece, under the Bird trim (had to replace both of mine as pass side was bent and driver's side handle broke off!). The handles are made universal for Camaros and Birds, and apparently Grand Ams (I think) used the same handle as well. Only the Bird handles, I suppose, got the rear mount hole for the GTA-type trim (mostly used on the GTA deluxe interiors, guess they had leftovers for the late models after trim changes).