SQLGuy

I'm currently on my fourth 928. I've had the door panels out of three of them. On those three, all had two screws that hold the door panel to the door frame (in addition to all the plastic clips). The screws fit into wells in the panels, and look like factory hardware. They're at the bottom, towards the middle and back of the door.

Just wondering whether these are original or not.

Jerry Feather

I had previously thought that when they are found they are likely added by someone after the car was built. However, I raised the issue about them that I found in my new 89 S4 5-speed. and had significant response indicating that they are factory installed. I think they are tacky and have not put them back in any door panels that I have reinstalled. I do replace all of the plastic clips when I do, however. Also it is suggested that there is commonly a third screw hidden under the aft end of the armrest. I had one there too in my 89.

Now, I think they are factory, but I don't know why.

SQLGuy

My cars that had them were an 85 S3 auto, an 88 S4 manual, and a 93 manual. I don't remember seeing an extra armrest screw, but I'll double check the 93 to see whether there's a hole there.

Bigfoot928

my 90 model only had 2 screws per door... one in the front lower corner and one in the bottom middle of the door.

Mrmerlin

there should be two screws on the lower rear edge of the door panel.
these are installed to prevent the door panels from popping out.

NOTE once the door panel pops out then it can catch on the door sill edge.

Then this will prevent the door from being opened,
then forcing the door open will usually crack the door panel.

Some installers have also added a third screw that hides at the rear edge and its covered by the armrest.

With the door panel removed and reinstalled you will need a pick to find the hole in the door.

linderpat

I had screws on the bottom doors of all of my sharks - an 84, 86.5, 78 and 85. Two screws.

hacker-pschorr

The original screws are very difficult to see unless you are looking for them. If you noticed the screws and they bothered you, someone probably shoved in something much larger because they farked up the panel.

SQLGuy

Thanks for the feedback.

They don't bother me at all. Just wanted to verify that they were supposed to be there.

traxtar928

My thoughts are that the screws (2 on the bottom of the panel, and 1 behind the arm rest plastic near the lock mechanism) help make sure that the panel doesn't pull away from the door frame, as it can sometimes catch on the sill covers and put unnecessary stress on the fiber board and plastic clips.

checkmate1996

Reviving old thread - Does anyone know definitively the type of screw that fits here?

chart928s4

IIRC the factory screws were #8x3/4 pan head with countersunk washers. When I redid my carpets, reinstalling caused hours of swearing and fumbling with rusty crappy tiny screws into stripped or nonexistent holes. So I switched all of these to #10 (console side panel, ebrake cover etc) because it was mostly invisible and the extra bite really helped in those ancient holes. The Dorman branded ones are readily available at O'Reilly's for a few bucks.

Speedtoys

If you're a car-stuff hoarder like I am, pockets full of crap are a lot of energy working to pull the card off the door everytime you close it...and these screws help secure it and now slowly fail the Xmas trees and panel inserts for them.

And..for resisting, to a point, card warping if your outter window seals leak really bad too.