I have a 87 Buick Park Avenue. The door locks on the ...

Hello! Thanx for your question.Here are the instructions to remove the door panels and lock if necessary.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

See Figures 1 and 2

You can use a special tool GM Part No. BT7323 or equivalent to disengage the clips fastening the inner panel to the door on front, rear, and lower edges. You'll also need a rubber mallet.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the inside handles by removing the two attaching screws. These are usually Phillips® head screws and accessible from underneath via recesses.

2. Unscrew and remove the inside door locking knob. If the vehicle is equipped with a strap type door pull handle, pull the escutcheons out of the centers of the strap mounts on either end to reveal the mounting screws. Since these screws pass through the door panel and into the metal shell of the door behind, remove them.

3. If the vehicle has a remote control mirror, remove the remote mirror escutcheon and then disengage the end of the mirror control cable from the escutcheon.

4. If the vehicle has a switch cover plate in the armrest, remove the screws securing the cover plate and disconnect the switch connectors and, if the vehicle has one, the cigar lighter connectors from the wiring harness.

5. If the vehicle has remote control cover plates, remove the attaching screws and remove the cover plates. Then, remove the screws (which were under the cover plate) which secure the cover plate to the inner panel.

6. If the vehicle has integral armrests, remove the screws inserted through the pull cup and into the armrest hanger support.

7. If the vehicle has electric switches located in the door trim panel, disconnect the wiring harness at the switch. If the vehicle has courtesy or reading lamps in the panel, disconnect the wiring harness at the lamp.

8. Use a special tool or flat bladed prybar to carefully pry the panel out from the door, going around the periphery to release all the clips from the inner door.

9. To remove the panel, first push it slightly downward and then pull it outward to release it from the inner door at the beltline. Then, lift the panel upward to release it at the top of the door, where it hangs over.

To install:

10. First check that all trim retainers are securely installed and are undamaged. If any require replacement:

    1. Start the retainer with a ¹/₄ in. (6mm) cutout into the attachment hole in the trim panel.

    2. Rotate the retainer until the flange that has the ¹/₄ in. (6mm) cutout is inside the attachment hole.

11. Connect all electrical connectors.

12. Pull the inside door handle inward and position the inner panel near the door, passing the handle through the handle hole in the panel. Then, lift the panel slightly and install the retainers over the top of the inner door.

13. Position the inner panel so all retainers line up with the holes in the inner door. Start one into the retainer hole to ensure alignment and hold. Then, use a rubber mallet to tap all the retainers into the corresponding holes in the inner door.

14. Install all trim and handle screws, window crank and connect the negative battery cable.

Images available only to Customers.

Images available only to Customers.

Fig. 2: Door trim panel retaining clip locations

DOOR LOCKS:

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

See Figure 1

1. Make sure the window is up all the way. Then, remove both the upper and lower portions of the trim panel as outlined in this information.

2. Going in through the largest access hole, disengage the rod connecting the remote control to the lock as follows:

   1. Use a flat-bladed prybar to slide the spring clip out of engagement. The clip must be slid on the lock lever until the ends of the clip no longer engage with the grooved section of the end of the lock rod. You don't need to remove the clip from the lock lever. There is a slot in the rear side of the clip so it can shift on the lock lever even though the lockrod passes right through it.

   2. Pull the lock rod out of the lock lever.

3. If the vehicle has electric locks, remove the solenoid.

4. Remove the three screws mounting the lock onto the door lock pillar section of the door and remove the lock. On some models, it may be necessary to remove the inside remote handle and then remove the lock and its connecting rod together. On four door models, it will be necessary to remove the lock, then separate the lockrod from the lock on a workbench, and install the rod onto the new lock.

5. Install in exact reverse order. Torque the lock mounting screws to 84-144 inch lbs. (10-15 Nm).

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Fig. 1: Removing the lock connecting rod from the lock lever

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Sorry Michael, the information does not relate to my car. Park Avenue model is top-of-the-line for 1987; with power door locks, power windows and the doors have arm rests with recessed pull-lever unlock door handle, recessed pull handle, red warning lights in arm rest, power window switch, cig lighter. There are no visable or recessed screw heads to detach the arm rest. The trim around the switches do not appear removable so as to gain entry. The door panel seems to be all inclusive one unit but common sense would indicate the door arm rest should be removable. K

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