Need help installing door panel

[NormallyExasperated]

I need help installing door panel (driver side, z32, 1996 slick-top)

This is going to sound dumb, because I am getting hung up on what presumably should be obvious. I found some threads about panel removal, but what about putting the door trim panel back on? I removed it to replace the driver's side power window motor on my 1996 Z32, which went okay, but now I can't get the panel into proper position against the door. (I can supply some links and my own tips for anyone who came here from a search for window motor or regulator replacement).

There are two downward facing tabs or hooks on the back of the door trim panel that seem pretty clearly to be meant to go over the top edge of the exposed metal of the door, but I haven't been able to get these even very close to that position, nor (if I ignore those hooks) have I been able to get the screw holes at the front and rear of the panel into position against the corresponding locations on the door.

Has anyone done this who can give me any advice? Much thanks!

Kevin ( sandiegokevinross at gmail )

[ThisIsSparTTa]

Silly question, you are doing this with the window down, right? It's been a while, but basically start from the top, get the part that goes into the window area to sit in, it takes a few downward love taps to get it into position. After that, you're pretty much good to go. The bottom of the door has a few plastic snaps, and then there's screws to hold the rest in place.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Silly question, you are doing this with the window down, right? It's been a while, but basically start from the top, get the part that goes into the window area to sit in, it takes a few downward love taps to get it into position. After that, you're pretty much good to go. The bottom of the door has a few plastic snaps, and then there's screws to hold the rest in place.

This, you basically just have to angle the top of the door panel over the metal edge of the door and force it down onto it. Make sure no part of the door panel of that metal lip on the door is bent, as that will totally mess you up. Once that part is on the rest should fall pretty much into place. Pics would be helpful too if you get stuck

[NormallyExasperated]

Silly question, you are doing this with the window down, right? It's been a while, but basically start from the top, ... .

This, you basically just have to angle the top of the door panel over the metal edge of the door and force it down onto it. Make sure no part of the door panel of that metal lip on the door is bent, ... Pics would be helpful too if you get stuck

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I did move the window down but that was a good thought because it seems like I must be doing something very dumb. But not that. I took another whack at it last night and it still seems like there are things getting in the way. Particularly if I angle the top of the panel toward the door, the panel rear (bracket) and front contact the top parts of the (front and rear of) the door before the panel hooks/tabs are nearly close enough. If I don't angle it so much, the obstructions are more the brackets on the door (for the handle and the window switches). See photos (link below).

The panel is something like fiberglass, so somewhat flexible (though there is that metal strip along the top)--do I need to flex it significantly to get those tabs/hooks in place over the top edge of the door?

I don't have a photobucket and Google Drive doesn't seem to support direct link to shared files (for inserting inline images), but I put some photos in a shared folder. I don't know they will help any, but perhaps you'll notice something isn't how it should be.

It occurs to me I've never seen a good image of the top of the inside of the door panel, so maybe someone can at least confirm that the hooks/tabs I referred to are supposed to be like they are in my photo and that these do need to go over the metal lip of the door, so I know it wasn't adulterated by a previous owner's weird repair. (Unlikely as that may be, but, hey, I'm grasping at straws). If nothing seems amiss in the photos I'll just take a fresh go at it this weekend.

[ThisIsSparTTa]

I dunno what to tell you. Everything looks legit. FYI in the future, you can easily upload photos to imgur.com and share them.