Replace Door Panel?

[stinger541]

So the dealership scratched the metal trim piece on the interior door handle. Like a razor blade caught it and went straight down about 1.5 inches. So, it is very thin. Not very noticeable in the dark/bad lighting but in the daylight it is quite obvious. Have only had the car a few weeks!

Anyways, they took ownership and ordered a whole new interior door panel. Apparently the trim piece does not come separately. My question is....should I get it replaced or just live with the scratch? My only worry is they will now be un-sealing factory seals, opening up sound deadening items, wires, etc. They could miss a fastener, a screw, etc, when putting it back together. Which could lead to rattles especially when the music is turned up.

I want the scratch gone of course. But am worried I will be in a worse situation and the interior will never be the same again. What do you all think? Anyone had experience with this at all?

 

[Doel]

I wouldn't worry about it. I haven't removed the door panel on this car, but have done it on plenty of other cars. It's usually a really straight forward process.

 

[DaJackson]

Un-sealing factory seals? How do you think a door panel works?

It’s 3-4 screws and the entire panel removes from the car. Most of the sound deadening comes from the door itself, anything on the panel will be on the new one too.

Plus if they cause any more issues after replacing it the dealer will have to fix them too.

 

[stinger541]

Un-sealing factory seals? How do you think a door panel works?

It’s 3-4 screws and the entire panel removes from the car. Most of the sound deadening comes from the door itself, anything on the panel will be on the new one too.

Plus if they cause any more issues after replacing it the dealer will have to fix them too.

When I took the panel off my last car, it had all sorts of plastic/foam and caulk/sealants. Pulling the panel off broke all of that. Afterwards, we always had cold air coming in from spots like the door handle, the window and lock buttons, etc. So not just sound deadening being an issue. I highly doubt they will go through the trouble of re-doing stuff like that.

 

[Doel]

When I took the panel off my last car, it had all sorts of plastic/foam and caulk/sealants. Pulling the panel off broke all of that. Afterwards, we always had cold air coming in from spots like the door handle, the window and lock buttons, etc. So not just sound deadening being an issue. I highly doubt they will go through the trouble of re-doing stuff like that.

what kind of car did you have? I've never seen a car where the door panel had anything like caulk around it. Any seals "should" be attached to either the door panel or the door, you should literally just remove a few screws, unplug a few wires, and the entire thing should come out.

Regardless, your car is under warranty, they'll make sure it's like new when they replace it. I wouldn't hesitate to bring it in.

 

[stinger541]

what kind of car did you have? I've never seen a car where the door panel had anything like caulk around it. Any seals "should" be attached to either the door panel or the door, you should literally just remove a few screws, unplug a few wires, and the entire thing should come out.

Regardless, your car is under warranty, they'll make sure it's like new when they replace it. I wouldn't hesitate to bring it in.

It was a Mazda3, 2015. Not sure if caulk is the actual term, but it was a black sticky strip in multiple spots.

 

[Doel]

It was a Mazda3, 2015. Not sure if caulk is the actual term, but it was a black sticky strip in multiple spots.

weird, the weather stripping should have been attached to the door itself. I'm going to guess the rubber material somehow got bonded to the door panel and ripped off when you took it off.
https://mazda3revolution.com/forums...uides/202146-diy-2017-door-panel-removal.html

 

[stinger541]

Could be. Either way, it made me nervous!

 

[MIGULZZ]

accept it and tell them you will install it and put it away somewhere safe until yours really bothers you then swap it out, especially if this is the drivers door it will be getting the most use I assume. door panels are easy and KIA door panels are even easier! nothing will be lost in removal and install unless you do it over a grate and a screw falls lol. but I would keep the panel for a later use if they are providing one,(maybe you use your old one to mess try new things like vinyl or something for fun)