Door Strap Replacement HELP

[skywalker77]

Does anyone have thoughts on how to replace my in-door door straps? I do not have what I guess is the earlier ring version. I ordered new door straps from DMC and have no clue how to put them in. Do I need to take the top door panel off? Any help would greatly be appreciated.

[DMCMW Dave]

Does anyone have thoughts on how to replace my in-door door straps? I do not have what I guess is the earlier ring version. I ordered new door straps from DMC and have no clue how to put them in. Do I need to take the top door panel off? Any help would greatly be appreciated.

Take off the upper door panel and you'll see the end of the old one there.

You will have to partially remove the lower panel to fish it through. DO NOT take the screws out of the back bezel as the nuts will fall down inside and then you get to remove the lower panel too. Or at least pull the bottom loose so they fall out.

[skywalker77]

Take off the upper door panel and you'll see the end of the old one there.

You will have to partially remove the lower panel to fish it through. DO NOT take the screws out of the back bezel as the nuts will fall down inside and then you get to remove the lower panel too. Or at least pull the bottom loose so they fall out.

Thanks Dave, the door strap broke off so I'm not going to have to take out the old one. Curious to see how the new one is going to stay on as one end is just the flat strap.

[Patrick C]

Thanks Dave, the door strap broke off so I'm not going to have to take out the old one. Curious to see how the new one is going to stay on as one end is just the flat strap.

The end of the the strap needs to be screwed in using one of the screws that holds the door panel in place. You have to make the hole in the new strap.

[DMCMW Dave]

The end of the the strap needs to be screwed in using one of the screws that holds the door panel in place. You have to make the hole in the new strap.

Looks like this.

33864

33865

[Rich_NYS]

Is there a kit to integrate the straps on an earlier VIN?

[Patrick C]

Is there a kit to integrate the straps on an earlier VIN?

Not really a kit, but I did it on mine just by purchasing the straps, plastic grommets, screws, and carefully cut the slots in my door panels.

[Rich_NYS]

Not really a kit, but I did it on mine just by purchasing the straps, plastic grommets, screws, and carefully cut the slots in my door panels.

Now that I think about it, that was a silly question. I've had mine apart and there's not much to it. I'll be an easy job....that's going on my to-do list.

[DMCMW Dave]

Not really a kit, but I did it on mine just by purchasing the straps, plastic grommets, screws, and carefully cut the slots in my door panels.

Here's the parts list and where to cut.


33866

[mluder]

Just curious... Those that decided to convert from early style afterthought strap to the permanently fixed ones, what was your motivation to do so. Personally I've never been a fan of the fixed straps but then again I'm biased against the later cars because I prefer the look of the grooved hood. It's possible that's coloring my view of the attached door straps.

Any way... no judgement. Just curious.

Cheers
Steve

[Rich_NYS]

Just curious... Those that decided to convert from early style afterthought strap to the permanently fixed ones, what was your motivation to do so. Personally I've never been a fan of the fixed straps but then again I'm biased against the later cars because I prefer the look of the grooved hood. It's possible that's coloring my view of the attached door straps.

Any way... no judgement. Just curious.

Cheers
Steve

I prefer the way the later style looks & feels, and I think the position of the integrated strap will be easier for my kids to pull the door closed.

[Patrick C]

I prefer the way the later style looks & feels, and I think the position of the integrated strap will be easier for my kids to pull the door closed.

Much easier to shut the door as well, since you are pulling from the dead center of the hinges. When the strap is looped around the grab handle, you are twisting the door to close it.

[Tillsy]

Just curious... Those that decided to convert from early style afterthought strap to the permanently fixed ones, what was your motivation to do so. Personally I've never been a fan of the fixed straps but then again I'm biased against the later cars because I prefer the look of the grooved hood. It's possible that's coloring my view of the attached door straps.

November builds had the integrated pulls trap but still had the grooved hood, it's all these various combination of changed that made it my ideal choice.

I find the afterthought strap to look so, well, afterthought. The integrated position is also a better position to be pulling from as Patrick has correctly mentioned.

[mluder]

Hmmm. See, I always use the strap to lower the door far enough to grab the door handle and then close from there.

Cheers
Steven

[Rich_NYS]

Hmmm. See, I always use the strap to lower the door far enough to grab the door handle and then close from there.

Cheers
Steven

I do the same thing, but also like the having the strap integrated.

[David T]

I do the same thing, but also like the having the strap integrated.

It is awkward to pull the door all the way down and closed using the strap. I give it a quick tug with just enough strength so the door will glide shut. If you do not have the door adjusted well you do have to push it closed by pushing it closed using the door handle. I also use the strap when opening the door so it won't bounce when fully open in hot weather.

[DMCMW Dave]

Here's the parts list and where to cut.


33866

BTW found an error in the document - the screws are 3MM not 4MM. Apparently the author missed that. :tongue_stick:

[Tillsy]

It is awkward to pull the door all the way down and closed using the strap. I give it a quick tug with just enough strength so the door will glide shut.

I do the same, can't say I have had any issues.