G37 Coupe

Keyhole delete...pic and brief DIY...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 11:49 AM
  #1  
Dr.Pat's Avatar
Dr.Pat
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 656
Likes: 19
From: Fort Myers, FL
Thumbs up Keyhole delete...pic and brief DIY...

Picked up a passenger side cover from the local Infiniti dealer. It was $40 and it came painted (paint matched perfectly). I know others have found it cheaper online but it was more convenient to just pick it up locally than wait to have it delivered. Its amazing how changing such a small piece can really clean up the look of the car.



I read different ways of installing the new cover...some just pop the old cover off and snap the new one on. I also read that others removed the entire key assembly and then swapped the covers. I did a combo of both. I didn't want to just pull off the old cover while it was still on the car bc I didn't want to risk scratching the paint around the door handle...but on the other hand I didn't want to remove the bolt that holds the key assembly in place bc I didn't want to risk the bolt falling inside the door (this happened to a few guys and they had to remove the entire door panel to get the bolt out). So here's what I did...

1. remove the rubber cap from inside the door well...that will expose the bolt that holds the key assembly in place.

2. loosen the bolt enough so that the key assembly has some wiggle room and you can pull it away from the door. Don't unscrew the bolt too much or you might drop the it inside the door.

3. with the key assembly loosened, it's much easier (and safer) to slip a knife blade or a really thin screwdriver behind the cover to pop it off.

4. snap the new cover into place, tighten the bolt, put the rubber cover back on and enjoy the view!

Took about 2 minutes to do. It may have taken me an extra minute to do it this way, but reducing the risk of scratching the door was well worth it.

And here's a pic of my car after giving her a bath...
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 05:25 PM
  #2  
vmastros's Avatar
vmastros
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Hey Dr., a pic of the passenger side would Be good.
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 05:56 PM
  #3  
BluestickG's Avatar
BluestickG
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 871
Likes: 37
From: Orange County
Originally Posted by vmastros
Hey Dr., a pic of the passenger side would Be good.
Im pretty sure that was a typo. I think he ment to say drivers side. Only the drivers side has a key hole and so the only side to put on a key hole delete cover. I put one on myself. Very easy install and a little extra touch that looks great.
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 06:28 PM
  #4  
Dr.Pat's Avatar
Dr.Pat
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 656
Likes: 19
From: Fort Myers, FL
Nope no typo...its just the cover for the passenger side handle (which doesn't have the keyhole) installed on the drivers side door handle (which does have a keyhole)
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 07:01 PM
  #5  
TVPostSound's Avatar
TVPostSound
Registered Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 117
From: Granada Hills, CA
Originally Posted by Dr.Pat
Nope no typo...its just the cover for the passenger side handle (which doesn't have the keyhole) installed on the drivers side door handle (which does have a keyhole)
Correct, I did the same.
Cheapest mod in the last 2 years!!
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 07:32 PM
  #6  
B L U E S L A T E's Avatar
B L U E S L A T E
Registered Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
I remember paying a lot less than $40 5 years ago...
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 09:39 PM
  #7  
Dark Sarcasm's Avatar
Dark Sarcasm
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Katy TX
Looks great
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 10:23 PM
  #8  
Tonewheel's Avatar
Tonewheel
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Chicago. Where we vote early..and often.
How's this for ****? I wouldn't do this because I use the keyhole for a very specific purpose. With an OB G37 freshly sealed and waxed, I close the door by putting my finger in the keyhole and pushing the door shut. No smears on th door. The wife just shakes her head...
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 10:42 PM
  #9  
Dr.Pat's Avatar
Dr.Pat
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 656
Likes: 19
From: Fort Myers, FL
Originally Posted by B L U E S L A T E
I remember paying a lot less than $40 5 years ago...
I think other guys have found them online for $27

Originally Posted by Tonewheel
How's this for ****? I wouldn't do this because I use the keyhole for a very specific purpose. With an OB G37 freshly sealed and waxed, I close the door by putting my finger in the keyhole and pushing the door shut. No smears on th door. The wife just shakes her head...
LOL that's great! I never thought of that

Originally Posted by Dark Sarcasm
Looks great
Thank you!
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 10:58 PM
  #10  
zoner's Avatar
zoner
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: SE Michigan - Novi
beautiful car
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 11:22 PM
  #11  
jon23's Avatar
jon23
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: FL
Originally Posted by Tonewheel
How's this for ****? I wouldn't do this because I use the keyhole for a very specific purpose. With an OB G37 freshly sealed and waxed, I close the door by putting my finger in the keyhole and pushing the door shut. No smears on th door. The wife just shakes her head...

What a great idea! I never thought of that. I'll give it a try, at least until I do the keyhole delete...

I usually shut the door by pushing the window trim molding...
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 11:23 PM
  #12  
j23a45m's Avatar
j23a45m
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 629
Likes: 1
From: Lancaster, Pa
well done
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 11:51 PM
  #13  
Dr.Pat's Avatar
Dr.Pat
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 656
Likes: 19
From: Fort Myers, FL
Originally Posted by jon23
I usually shut the door by pushing the window trim molding...
ditto...
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2013 | 01:02 PM
  #14  
Scoe11's Avatar
Scoe11
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
From: NJ
Talking

Originally Posted by Dr.Pat
2. loosen the bolt enough so that the key assembly has some wiggle room and you can pull it away from the door. Don't unscrew the bolt too much or you might drop the it inside the door.
The 2011+ models have the bolt attaches so that it doesn't fall off then you unscrew it!
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2013 | 09:50 AM
  #15  
nbast's Avatar
nbast
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 207
Likes: 5
From: Upstate NY
When I did mine, I used a small flathead screw driver to pry the retaining tab up a bit while holding the handle open to get the cover with a hole off. The screwdriver never touched a painted surface. Then I popped the new cover on.

I paid $32 including tax for the part from the dealer a bit over a year ago.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:46 AM.