How much time do you think someone who has never removed a door pannel before take to change the locks on the side doors? My trunk lock is broken and I figured I'd change all three of them at the same time. I was just wondering if it would take all day.

thanks!

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Fiero with a 2.8 V6, Isuzu 5-speed, Performance Sound, Sprint Exhaust Manifolds and a real pretty interior. :D

Door panels aren't that hard to get off...
1- pull off inside door panel
2- remove the black rubbery things on the front and back of the window
3- remove the mirror
4- remove trim strip on outside of door (there are 2 screws under there securing the outer skin to the door)
5- knock out the 4 plastic rivets on the bottom of the door
6- remove the plastic torx bolts on the front and back edges of the door skin
7- pull upwards on the door skin and it will come off the door. There will still be a clip holding the door lock linkage on, so be careful not to bend it. A straight blade screwdriver works nice to push it off.

voila. door skin removed. Locks should be easy to get out after that. The first time I pulled one off, it did take a couple hours though...

You may want to order a few new plastic clips to put the trim back on with, as you may break a couple getting the trim off. Also, have some rivets handy to replace the ones along the bottom edge of the door.

I don't know if there's any way to get the locks out without removing the outer skin... someone will probably chime in if there is.

[This message has been edited by D B Cooper (edited 09-18-2006).]

you can change them without removing the door skins. i would say it would probably be easier do do with them off. the drivers side to me an hour or two, and a lot of cussing. the pass side took like 30 minutes. its not hard but requires a bit of finess and patience. sort of like playing the kids game "Operation" with two flat head screw drivers.

if you do replace them get all three from the the fiero store. i just replaced my too door locks and its kinda annoying to have another key for the trunk. if you do remove the door panels order the little plastic clips while you're at it. you will break a couple of them.

good luck.

I just did this as well. it took about two hours to do both doors. Didnt have to remove the door skins. When you remove the clip that holds the lock in, clean up the clip. I took mine to the bench mounted wire wheel, it will then slide in place easier when you reassemble it.

About 1/2 way down the 1st link:
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Archives/Archive-000001/HTML/20020825-2-018665.html
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Archives/Archive-000001/HTML/20040710-2-045763.html
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Archives/Archive-000001/HTML/20030819-2-033192.html
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Archives/Archive-000001/HTML/20030819-2-033213.html
Find fierohoho--he`s got a good handle on it.....

You only have to remove the interior door panels. Getting the clip back on is the biggest pain. I seem to remember using a very long pair of needle nose pliers and a pair of vice grips. The second one will go much better after you have figured out the procedure.

I'm not very impressed with the Fiero Store's lock cylinders. I put one in my decklid, and it only lasted about 6 months.

Here I am.

Use the links in my sig and that should help, post any follow up questions here.

Steve

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Where will the road take you today?

Some helpful links I've done
How to remove inner door panels, with pics.
How to remove outer door panels, with pics.
How to make rear coil-overs using factory struts, with pics.
How to remove rear bearing hubs, with pics.
How to modify the stock Fiero radio for MP3 players, with pics.

quote Originally posted by Blacktree: I'm not very impressed with the Fiero Store's lock cylinders. I put one in my decklid, and it only lasted about 6 months.

Same here, I had to keep shooting Pb Blaster in the cylinder to get it open, then it finally went kaaphoo. Had better luck at the salvage yards--with 20 year old locks...

Whew... thanks folks. The hardest part was getting that clip OUT to release the lock from the door. I dunno why, but both of them were sticking and took an hour or two each. Whatever. 22 year old cars are allowed to have sticky parts, I suppose.

THANKS!

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Fiero with a 2.8 V6, Isuzu 5-speed, Performance Sound, Sprint Exhaust Manifolds and a real pretty interior. :D

quote Originally posted by Blacktree: I'm not very impressed with the Fiero Store's lock cylinders. I put one in my decklid, and it only lasted about 6 months.

So where would one get a complete new set? I need to do this soon as all my locks need replacing.