Door Handle Loose/Removing Door Panel?

[kpierce]

As mentioned in a previous thread, I just bought a 2000 Beetle. I am hoping to get a response to my other problems/issue in that thread. But have come across another one I am hoping someone can help me with.

The problem is the key hole part of the door handle on the drivers side. It appears this has been broken and replaced. The key does not work and the part they put in there is very loose. I would like to atleast tighten that up. However, the little piece of metal that holds the assembly onto the door has been broken off. I have thought about drilling a hole directly in the side of the door into the assembly and screwing that to the door. Does not seem like the best solution.

So I have tried to remove the door panel and have gotten it off, and have unconnected all screws, bolts and connections to the medal plate on the door. But I still can't get that off. It seems to be connected to the window and I can't figure it out. I have taken the motor off, etc.

Basically my question is how to you get the entire door panel off(metal plate)? Are there 'hidden' screws or something? I have looked and looked.

thanks

[Toad]

the window regulator is riveted to the metal plate in the door. you need to unbolt the window from the regulator to remove it. i dont know how to do it exactly, but i know you need to pop off some rubber grommets to get access to the bolts and use some really good tape to hodl the window in place.

the key lock thing sshould be held in place by a t25 (i think) screw on hte side of the door and shouldn't need the whole door to be dissasembled to remove.