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Automotive Door Panel Fasteners: Types, Applications, and More
Car door panels tend to be inconspicuous. In fact, you may not pay much attention to yours until something goes wrong. When it does, you'll likely need to pry it free from its automotive door panel fasteners to look inside.
What Do Door Panel Fasteners Do?
You may come across a few names for door panel fasteners, including retainers and clips. These all fall under the umbrella term "fasteners" since they adhere the panel to the metal door. Many manufacturers also use glue to ensure a lasting bond.
Most fasteners are synthetic, typically plastic or nylon. As a result, they're lightweight and moisture-resistant.
Unlike screws, door panel fasteners can't pierce metal. Instead, manufacturers drill holes into the car door for the retainers to slip into. This approach means less hassle when removing or installing a panel.
What Are the Different Types?
Automotive door panel fasteners come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Which you need depends on your vehicle's year, make, and model.
If you can, try to get the exact clips used on your car door panel. Doing so ensures they fit the pre-drilled holes, decreasing the chance of the trim coming loose.
Of course, it's not always possible to find an exact match. In some cases, you may need to get a larger fastener and enlarge the holes with a drill. If you don't have the experience or confidence to pull this off, an auto-body repair shop can do it for you.
How Do You Install Door Panel Fasteners?
Replacing components in your car door can get expensive, especially if you pay for labor. According to expert estimates, the cost can range between $500 and $2,500 depending on whether you do the job yourself and what parts you need to purchase.
To save money, some people take the do-it-yourself approach. Drilling aside, removing and replacing door trim only requires a few tools:
- Screwdriver
- Panel trim removal tool
- Replacement door panel retainers
However, actually taking the door apart can get complex. Before you can access the automotive door panel fasteners, you must locate and remove screws, remove covers, and disconnect electrical wires. Doing so can take a while if you're unfamiliar with the door design, and there are lots of little pieces that can easily break if you're not careful.
As a result, many people prefer to take their vehicle to a mechanic if the door panel requires removal. Auto-body repair shops usually have kits containing a wide variety of trim clips, allowing them to easily find a close match for your vehicle.
How do you know your car door panel needs attention? You may need to replace fasteners if you notice the following:
- Door doesn't lock properly
- Window doesn't open
- Significant damage to trim
- Water or air enters cabin through the door
Where Can You Get Affordable Fasteners?
ROGO Fastener sells a broad range of automotive door panel fasteners at affordable prices. If you're in the market for high-quality parts from top brands, this is the place to shop. To learn more, visit the website or call 845-692-7646.
Sources:
- https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/how-much-does-it-cost-to-replace-a-car-door
- https://qz.com/advisor/auto-insurance/how-much-does-a-car-door-replacement-cost/
- https://www.essentracomponents.com/en-us/news/solutions/fastening-components/a-guide-to-panel-fasteners#:~:text=And%20much%20of%20the%20time,plastic%2C%20or%20other%20synthetic%20materials.
- https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-remove-panel-clips/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxq5tC7dNB4