T-panel fix - but how to bend the tabs back??

[Soma576@xxxx]

Hey guys,

i got my T-panel/passenger door rubbing it fixed. in case anyone is 
wondering:

the reason the doors hit the T-panel is probably not due to the horizontal 
alignment of the panel. rather, it is a consequence of the T-panel being too 
LOW!

i talked to DMCJoe the other day and he told me that from the factory, there 
were a couple of foam strips that helped support the T-panel on the door 
hinge box, which runs the length of the doors and the hinges are bolted to 
it. anyway, over time these foam strips deteriorate, leaving the T-panel 
lower than it is supposed to be. the doors now hit the panel about 2/3 of 
the way up. sure enough, my foam was gone. Joe told me go to Home Depot and 
get some of the insulation you get for doors - it's about 3/4" thick, 1/2" 
wide, with a self-adhesive side to it. i just ran two long strips the length 
of the T-panel, then a couple more perpendicular to them in the middle. i 
then mounted the T-panel and checked the doors - perfect!! the only hitch 
was that the foam was a little bit too thick for the panel, it actually 
pushed it up TOO high. fortunately i'm a small guy and i took my shoes off 
and carefully slid onto the roof of the car and used my body weight to press 
the T-panel downward and compress the foam. after a couple minutes of this, 
it was the right height. 

best of all, it didn't even cost me more than $1.50 to fix it!!

i just have one question - what is the best way to bend the 4 tabs back down 
on the T-Panel? i used a flathead screwdriver to open them, but now i have 
to close them, but i dont want to break or scratch anything... anyone got a 
good way to do it?

Andy

Soma576@xxxx
1982 DeLorean DMC-12 VIN#11596
Fargo, ND 58102


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