How to Remove the Front Door Panel From a 1998 Lincoln Town Car

The 1998 Town Car was the first model of the third generation of full-size luxury sedans from Lincoln. While Ford redesigned all of its full-size sedans for the 1998 model year, the Town Car line saw the most changes, both outside and in. Lincoln covered the Town Car's door panels in supple leather, and accented the door panel with simulated wood grain trim. The purpose of the door panels is threefold: to blend seamlessly with the rest of the interior trim, to reduce outside noise and to hide the unsightly interior door access holes.

Instructions

1

Extract the screw from the bottom of the door panel, using the Phillips screwdriver.

2

Remove two pull-strap retaining screws from the underside of the door pull-strap, using a No. 20 Torx driver. Push in on the center of the pull-strap and remove it from the door.

3

Extract the two screws from the pull-strap mounts, using a Phillips screwdriver.

4

Slide the tip of the trim tool between the lower trailing edge of the Town Car's door panel and the inner door skin. Pry the panel off the door skin with the trim tool. There are several plastic trim pins in the door panel perimeter you must pry free of the door skin with the trim tool.

5

Lift up on the door panel to remove it from the door.

6

Lower the door panel onto the Town Car's door. Align the trim pins and pound them into the door skin with the side of your fist.

7

Reinstall the screws in the pull-strap mounts and in the bottom of the door panel, using the Phillips screwdriver.

8

Slide the pull-strap back onto the mounts. Reinstall the pull-strap retaining screws with the No. 20 Torx driver to complete the reinstallation of the panel.