NUMBER:
GROUP:
DATE:

23-012-12 REV. A
Body
October 04, 2012

This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without written permission of Chrysler Group LLC.

THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES SERVICE BULLETIN 23-012-12, DATED MARCH 20,
2012 WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES.
SUBJECT:
Sliding Door Trim Contacting Vehicle Rear Quarter
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves installing an additional door panel retention point to prevent the door
panel from bowing and contacting the body when the sliding door is opened .
MODELS:
2008 - 2012

(RT)

Dodge Caravan

2008 - 2012

(RT)

Chrysler Town and Country

NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles built prior to February 11, 2012 (MOH
0211XX).
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may experience a door trim panel contacting the quarter panel on either side
when opening either of the sliding doors.
PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty.

Part No.

Description

2

68163978AA

RT Sliding Door Repair Kit (One Kit Services
One Door)

SPECIAL TOOLS/EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
NPN

lsopropyl Alcohol

NPN

3M 4298 Adhesion Promoter or Equivalent

NPN

Kent P20165 Leak Trace Powder or Equivalent
One 12oz can will service approximately 12 vehicles

23-012-12 REV. A

-2-

DIAGNOSIS:
In some instances interior door panel to quarter panel contact has been noted on both left
and right sides of the vehicle. Design clearances of the interior door panel are aggravated
by heat which causes the door panel to relax and bow, which may contact the rear quarter
panel (Fig. 1). In order to correct this condition and avoid costly paint repairs an additional
retention point needs to be added to prevent the door panel bowing condition . If the
customer describes the symptom, perform the Repair Procedure.

Fig. 1 Door Trim Contact
1 - Sliding Door
2 - Interior Door Trim Panel
3 - Quarter Panel Contact Point
4 - Panel Clearance Area

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23-012-12 REV. A

REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. Remove both door trim panels. Refer to the detailed procedures available in
DealerConnect>TechCONNECT> under: Service Info> 23-Body> Doors - Sliding>
PANEL, Door Trim> Removal.
2. Remove the standoff from the back side of each door panel (Fig . 2).

Fig. 2 Standoff Removal
1 - Standoff
2 - Back Side of Door Panel
3 - Sound Deadener

23-012-12 REV. A

3.

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Cut the sound deadener on the back side of each door panel as shown in (Fig . 3).

Fig. 3 Trim Sound Deadener
1 - Cut Line
2 - Sound Deadener
3 - Back Side of Door Panel

-5-

23-012-12 REV. A

4. Carefully drill a 5/16"(8mm) hole through door module at the center of the
formation/standoff (1) directly above the door module (if equipped) or just forward of
the part number tag (Fig . 4).
NOTE: Make sure door window is in the full upward position before drilling hole in
door module.

Fig. 4 Door Module Preparation
1 - Drill Location
2 - Door Module
3 - Sliding Door

23-012-12 REV. A
5.

-6-

Fully seat the white dual lock push clips (1) from repair kit into the 5/16" (8mm) hole in
the door modules (Fig . 5).

Fig. 5 Door Module Retainer Installation
1 - Dual Lock Push Clip
2 - Drilled Hole Location
3 - Door Module

-76.

23-012-12 REV. A

Temporarily engage the dual lock halves in order to transfer the clip location from the
module to the door panel using Kent Leak Trace Powder or equivalent and scribe the
clip location on the back side of the door panel as shown in (Fig. 6).

NOTE: Door trim panel(s) will need to be rough set and pressurized to transfer the
contact location. Leak trace powder should be applied to the approximate
clip location on the back side of the door trim panel.
NOTE: Do not engage dual lock halves and remove peel-off backing to locate the
door trim panel side of the clip as this could result in an improperly placed
clip while reinstalling the door panel. Improperly placing the clip can
possibly destroy it if removal or repositioning is required. Do not use grease
to transfer clip location as this will leach into the plastic surface of the trim
panel and affect clip adhesive retention.

Fig. 6 Door Panel Preparation
1 - Scribe
2 - Back Side of Door panel
3 - Dual Lock Retaining Clip

23-012-12 REV. A
7.
8.

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Clean the surface area (1) of both door trim panels to be bonded with isopropyl alcohol
(Fig. 7).
Once the alcohol has evaporated apply 3M 4298 adhesion promoter or equivalent to
the surface area (1) where the dual lock adhesive backer will bond (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7 Door Panel Preparation
1 - Clip Bonding Area
2 - Back Side of Door Panel
3 - Sound Deadener

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23-012-12 REV. A

9. Firmly pressurize the blue dual lock clip at scribed location for 5 seconds after
remo~ing the protective backing off the adhesive side of the clip.
NOTE: Let the blue dual lock clip cure for 1 hour before reinstalling the door trim
panels.

Fig. 8 Door Panel Retainer Installation
1 - Back Side of Door Panel
2 - Dual Lock Clip
3 - Sound Deadener

10. Reinstall both door trim panels. Refer to the detailed procedures available in
DealerConnect>TechCONNECT> under: Service Info> 23-Body> Doors - Sliding>
PANEL, Door Trim> Installation.
11. Seat door trim panel and press at new attachment location.
NOTE: An audible "click" should be heard when pressing the door trim panel in
place

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23-012-12 REV. A

12. Validate door trim panel clearance to rear quarter panel (Min Gap is 3/16" I 6mm) (Fig .
9).

NOTE: Gap can be checked by applying modeling clay to the suspect area of the
quarter panel.

Fig. 9 Improved Panel Clearance
1 - Contact Point
2 - Panel Clearance
3 - Door Trim Panel
4 - Quarter Panel

POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.
TIME ALLOWANCE:

Labor Operation
No:
23-20-22-9A

Description
Sliding Door Trim Panel, Modify - Both Sides
(Skill Level = C, Training Level = 2)

FAILURE CODE:

lzz

IService Action

Amount
0.9 Hrs.