LS1stunna

iTrader: (1)

I have the cracks on both doors, but whats funny is that I dont even really notice them. Ill possibly do repair them over the summer when Im bored as hell.

tals199

Have both panels off, been working on them the last couple days after reading Bandits post. My drivers side had a crack about 1 1/2" long, while as my passenger side is cracked all the way down to the leather and about 3/16" wide. Will post pics from before and after when done.

topdj-com

2001 ws6 convertible 69k drivers side 1 1/2"

ManicMechanik

2000 T/A, both cracked, bought like this. Previous owner did a hack job on the driver's side. I'll try to repair the passenger door @ $500 per new one.

7901 WS6

iTrader: (6)

No cracks on my 01 @ 55K miles I just remove the staples cause I did notice the dip in the panels in that area.

nozomiyume

I've been reading through this thread because I remember seeing these cracks on almost every Firebird I looked at when I was trying to find one. Now I think I need to do something about it!

FWIW - 2000 Convertible Firebird, 49k, no cracks (yet). I'm gonna be in there looking at the driver's side motor soon, so I'm going to strengthen the back. I read through the whole thread, but haven't seen a total consensus necessarily, so...

1. For material - what would be best, long term: Epoxy, fiberglass or bondo (to augment from the back of the door)
2. For staples - definitely best to remove, but do you guys think it would be best to just leave the staples out? Remove them and rebend them into a better position, or two reattach with something like a tie?

Torkman15

iTrader: (2)

Thank you sir...

JonCR96Z

iTrader: (33)

It's better to give the post # instead of the page, because I'm sure that everyone doesn't have the same number of posts per page. I'm looking at 40 per page, so I'm assuming that you're talking about post #87, which is page 3 for me.

Thanks.

7901 WS6

iTrader: (6)

HPP's method
http://www.highperformancepontiac.co...air/index.html

Cape T/A

My bad, it is post #159. hope that helps everyone.

t/a-Donnie

iTrader: (6)

This is an article about the cracking door with repair and prevention. You may have seen it. Hope it helps.

http://www.highperformancepontiac.co....../index.html

PS Does anyone know where I can get replacement door panels? lol.

lugnutt

iTrader: (4)

I can not believe GM wont help us out. It is obvious there was a manufacturing error. Unreal!!

JonCR96Z

iTrader: (33)

Yeah, they don't have bigger stuff to worry about right now. On a serious note, they did what they were supposed to, the made a 'not perfect' car and warrantied it for 3/36000. Atleast the new cars get a good warranty.

Jon

randeye100

Exactly the same with mine. Have to replace both door panels. Both power window motors have been replaced several times. Now drivers side needs replaced again.
Does anyone know how to get the hood open when the cable breaks?

JonCR96Z

iTrader: (33)

You've got to work your hand up to where the latch is on the hood and find the cable then push the thing the cable is connected to back towards the driver side.

2fstws6

Does the window up or down put more stress on the panel causing it to crack ? I know this might have been already talked about some where in the 18 pages of the topic.

WS6 MIAMI

iTrader: (2)

The First 18 Pages Tell You That The Door Panel Flexes When The Window Is Put Down All The Way And Then Closed. Don't Put The Window All The Way Down.

TransAm578

iTrader: (2)

Just joined the club 26k mile '02 WS6...passenger side, about an inch or an inch and a half...sucks.

Cape T/A

im going to argue with that, maybe some f-bodys do. but my doorpanels dont move at all when the window is all the way down.

WS64Mula

iTrader: (1)

From my understanding in the HPP magazine. With the staples the way they are installed from the factory; it's putting alot of stress there on that portion of the panel. I believe if you take the staples out and relieve the stress, let it relax, and put staples in it relaxed. It shoud keep the cracks from comming back or appearing on cars that don't have the crack. That's how I read it in the HPP mag.