How do I remove driver interior door panel

[dan copeland]

I have a 1991 318i cabrio .I wolud like to remove the driver inside door panel . To try and fix a rattle. Would also like to know what tools I may need and what replacement parts I might want to have on hand. Thank you for you time.Dan

[bmwman91]

You need a phillips screwdriver and (ideally) a panel clip fork. If you don't have one, you can either use a flat head screwdriver wrapped in a rag, or just pull hard.

There are 3 screws to be removed. Two are easily found on the underside of the arm rest. The third is behind the mirror control switch, which you pry out with a small flat blade screwdriver. With all 3 screws out, the arm rest comes off.

Next, slide the door handle trim ring toward the back of the car until it pops off.

Unscrew the door lock pin & remove it.

There are like 10 trim panel clips that need to be popped out. Start along the bottom. You can either pry at them individually with a rag-wrapped screwdriver, or take your changes pulling on the panel (usually rips them out).

Once the clips are loose, you lift up and it should slide off of the hooks it sits on.

[dan copeland]

Thank you for the info this will help me find and cure the rattle. Happy New Year. Dan