Hi all, I'm afraid my question may invoke some eye rolling by those in the know but how do I remove and refit the Drivers door waist/window seal.
I bent the chrome trim on mine as I walked past and caught my jacket on its rear corner. I didn't think I'd put much force onto it but managed to lift it off and bend it about a third of the way along.
I've picked up another one from a wreckers who advised me they just clip on, for the life of me though I can't see how the old one clips off or the new one would clip on. I'm also being a little hesitant as I don't want to damage the door or replacement chrome waist seal.
I thought I had once seen a panel beater take one off, by removing a couple of Phillips head screws from inside of the door. This doesn't appear to be the case however, after inspecting the replacement and seeing no screw holes.



​​​​

 

I had heard about a screw but mine did not have any and the trim simply levered up but it is a tight fit and easily damaged.
The channel on the bottom of the trim is a push fit on a lip at the top of the door skin.

 

Yes they are just push fit on top of the door. The chances of removing an old one without damaging it are close to zero as they corrode internally and will just disintegrate when removed.

Use a piece of plastic (like an old credit card) on the door and lever against that on the waist finisher strip with an angled trim tool. Lift just a little and move along the entire length. Go back and lever a bit more.

Note: From distant memory, on the front doors you will need to remove the door mirror first as the trim runs underneath that.

The screw thing I think relates back to the XJ40 which had similar finisher strips, but had a single self tapping screw on the inside at the opening end of the door. The screw is not used on the X300.

 

Thankyou b1mcp you've just jogged my memory, yes your right. When I saw a panel beater do it, I now recall he was removing screws to take the mirror off not the seal. It was a few years ago and I know I saw him get behind it with a screw driver. I very much appreciate your description.

 

Thanks guys, job done
I'm almost embarrassed I had to ask now I've fitted the replacement seal.
After removing the mirror, I started off, carefully carefully prising the old seal up from the outside with a plastic trim tool from the front of the car working backwards.
After working the length of the seal I realised the strip is literally sitting on the top lip of the door and just needs to be vertically lifted off a little at a time. With the window down you can grab it from both sides and gradually lift it up.
As others mentioned the install is the reverse making sure you are in the exact right, position as you press it into place.
Murphys law regretfully visited while reinstalling the black trimming behind the interior door handle. I put the screw on the end of my Phillips head screwdriver went to screw it in place and it fell off. I heard it hit the ground and bounce once before vanishing into a different dimension. After spending longer then the job actually took looking for it I have up the search.