t Trans Am interior door panel cracking.

**trnsman** · 09-24-2012, 06:39 PM

I have a Trans Am that both the interior door panel are cracking from having the windows open and tops off. What can be done to prevent further cracking?

**becherer1992** · 09-24-2012, 08:04 PM

http://www.highperformancepontiac.co...air/index.html

Here is a nice link to help with cracked door panels.

**trnsman** · 09-25-2012, 03:59 AM

Thanks, i'll check it out.

**becherer1992** · 09-25-2012, 06:49 AM

Sorry, the link got cut up, here is a working one.

http://www.highperformancepontiac.com/images/hppp_0711_firebird_door_panel_crack_repair/

***SMWS6TA*** · 09-25-2012, 07:34 AM

If your door panels get too messed up to fix try looking for 98 door panels. They seem to be the only yr that doesn't have these issues. IIRC in 99 they changes the way the door panels staples are placed and that is why they have cracking issues.

One more thing - in the article it doesn't state this but use some locktite on the bolts. The road vibrations will back the nuts off over time if they are not a lock nut style.

**99WS6Indy** · 09-25-2012, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

If your door panels get too messed up to fix try looking for 98 door panels. They seem to be the only yr that doesn't have these issues. IIRC in 99 they changes the way the door panels staples are placed and that is why they have cracking issues.

One more thing - in the article it doesn't state this but use some locktite on the bolts. The road vibrations will back the nuts off over time if they are not a lock nut style.

They actually do mention it, but don't explain why...

A trip to our local hardware store netted us a handful of No. 4-40 machine screws in 7/8-inch length with matching washers and nuts, all for less than $1. We inserted a machine screw into each of the three holes, applied a dab of thread-lock, and tightened each nut until it was finger tight.

Read more: Firebird Door Panel Crack Repair - High Performance Pontiac Magazine

**ws6ws6** · 09-26-2012, 07:50 PM

just check junk yards for the same panel any color make sure no cracks or a 98 i think does not crack and do the fix posted just get some

on a black car use exact match its what i used
SEM Paints (SEM38363) SEM Sand Free Prep Material Aerosol
SEM Paints (SEM38343) SEM Vinyl Prep Aerosol Spray
SEM Paints (SEM38353) SEM Plastic / Leather Prep Aerosol Spray
SEM Paints (SEM15013) Color Coat - Landau Black Aerosol
SEM Paints (SEM13023) Color Coat - Low Luster Clear Aerosol

**99WS6Indy** · 09-27-2012, 07:31 PM

I got my passenger side fixed this evening.
Rather than follow the directions noted, I opted to use what I had readily available which was little plastic zip ties. I figured this would still allow a bit of flexing without causing any other issues. Hopefully my fix is just as good. I used standard epoxy to bond the splt.

Here are a few pics of the repair...

**024mula** · 09-28-2012, 05:54 AM

Originally Posted by 99WS6Indy

They actually do mention it, but don't explain why...

I was one of those people in that thread and the reason why the panel started to crack is because of "stress". The reason why I say this is, once you take your door panels off you can see the pressure the staples are putting on the plastic panels. At first I was going to remove all nine staples as directed by "High Performance Pontiac Magazine" but after prying the staple loose I could see the problem, its the way the staples were installed.

The staples started out like any paper staple but intead of curling inward they curl outward and up at the points. I simply loosened all the staples by prying down on the points until they were horzontial. To be on the safe side I then removed five or six staples that were in the middle of the panel. So the only staples I left were the the ones on the ends and two equaly spaced apart in the center of the panel. I also applyed expoxy and fiberglass window screen the entire length of the panel on the inside. I don't think that was nessuary but I feel better knowning that I did.