Rear Door Panel Removal

Simon wrote

I sit here typing with *extremely* mucky hands (the wife will kill me). The reason is that today I decided to adjust the rear door lock. However, I can't even get the panel off. I've tried the obvious and looked in the Hayes manual (I know don't say it), and also followed the relevant threads, but all to no avail. I've tugged and pulled as much as I dare, but there seem to be screws or something that I'm missing.

CAN YOU HELP?

Here is the procedure:

1. Remove the two small screws securing the bottom of the door pocket.
2. Remove the ashtray. This will expose a small Phillips head screw remove this screw.
3. Grasp the armrest assembly and pull the left side up and the right side to the left. This will release the securing pins from their slots and the armrest can be pulled away from the panel.
4. Carefully pry off the door panel around the edges. This will release the plastic anchors.
5. Pull the door panel up and towards you to release the tabs securing the panel to the sill.

On the early Series 3s such as my 1980 model, the crash roll (door sill) is a separate piece - remove three small screws at the lower edge and pull the crash roll up to release the tabs from the door sill.

The procedure takes less time than it took me to type this!