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Refitting a door trim panel: which clips you need

3 min read · Jobs by area of the car

A door trim panel (door card) is held on by a mix of clips, screws and hooks. Taking it off to fix a window, speaker or lock is a common job, and broken clips are the usual result. Here is how to plan for it.

What holds a door card on

• Push-in clips around the edges. Often Christmas tree clips or trim clips with a collar that slots into the back of the card.
• Screws hidden behind the handle cup, armrest or small covers.
• A top hook along the window line. The card lifts up off it once the clips are free.
• Cables and plugs for the handle, windows, mirrors and speakers.

Taking it off

1. Remove all screws. Check under small covers and behind the handle.
2. Start at a bottom corner with a wide plastic tool. Pry close to each clip.
3. Work round the edge, releasing each clip part way.
4. Lift the card up off the window line hook.
5. Unplug switches and release the handle cable before pulling the card away.

See how to remove car trim clips and trim removal tools.

Refitting

Check each clip. Replace any that are cracked, loose or stayed in the door. Fit the new clips to the card in the same slots, reconnect plugs and the handle cable, hook the card over the window line, line the clips up with the holes, then press firmly over each clip. Refit the screws last.

Stopping rattles

A rattle after refitting usually means a clip is missing or not seated. Press around the edge to find the loose spot. If a clip hole in the card is torn, a clip with a wider head can help it hold.

Not sure which clip you have? Measure the old one and compare it with the sizes on our trim clips pages.

Hidden screws to check first

• Inside the door handle cup or behind a small cover
• Under the arm rest or in the pull handle
• Behind the mirror triangle cover at the front top corner
• Along the bottom edge on some utes and 4WDs

Inside the door: rods and the vapour barrier

Once the card is off, you will see the plastic vapour barrier and the lock and handle rods. Each rod sits in a small clip. If a rod clip drops off, the handle or lock button stops working. Stick the vapour barrier back down when you finish, so water does not get into the door card.

Refitting step by step

1. Fit new clips to the door card so they line up with the holes.
2. Hook the top of the card over the window ledge first.
3. Press the card in at each clip, working around the edge.
4. Refit the screws and test the handle, lock and window switch.

Trim clips: sizes in our range

We measured the trim clips in our own range from the marks on each product photo. Of 2 products with sizes, the stem (which roughly matches the hole size) runs from about 8 mm to 8.5 mm. The most common stem sizes, rounded, are 8 mm, 9 mm. Here is a spread across the range:

Sizes are approximate, read from the measurement marks on our product photos. Always compare with your original part.

Frequently asked questions

How many clips does a door card use?

Usually between 6 and 12, depending on the car. Count them when the card comes off, and order a few spare.

Why does my door card rattle?

Usually a broken or missing clip, or a clip that has lost its grip. Press around the edge to find the loose spot.

Sizes and fitting steps in our guides are general. Check your vehicle's manual for anything specific to your car. Questions? Call 0499 001004.