I am re-installing front and back door panels/cards and they are not going back tight on the inside top left corners along the window opening (as you face the door from the inside). On the passenger side door for example, I can feel them clip/re-seat on the right hand side just fine as I bring the panel down and push it back on, but the left side does not seem to want to catch on anything and once the panel is completely put back with clips and handle etc., the top left seems to have a slight flagging and is not tight along the window edge as before.
I've tried it a couple times with the same result. The same thing happened on the driver's side with the left corner seating as it went down and in and the right side not catching and having a loose fit along the window edge. Any advice from an experienced renovator ? I don't want to force it down without knowing what I am doing and I've tried pushing in to get it to catch before I push it down on without any luck.
Thank you for any help.

 

The upper portion of the trim panel should have 2 or 3 metal "tabs" which are designed to engage corresponding "slots" in the door itself. "Tab A into slot B" :-).

Are your tabs present and accounted for? If they're all there and properly engaged into the slots you should a good fit against the window glass.

But.....

Getting the tabs into the slots can strain the patience of a saint.

So......

Bend the tabs outward a bit, away from the panel, so it's easier to guide them into the slots.

Cheers
DD

 

I just finished installing new door panels with nice minty wood inserts and your advice made it so the whole process went fast and painless. It makes a huge difference when you have just the right tip on how to complete something. Thank You !