Keyhole delete...pic and brief DIY...
08-24-2012, 11:49 AM
#1
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...
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...
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.
Trending Topics
08-24-2012, 10:23 PM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Chicago. Where we vote early..and often.
Posts: 125
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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...
08-24-2012, 10:42 PM
#9
I think other guys have found them online for $27
LOL that's great! I never thought of that
Thank you!
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...
Thank you!
08-24-2012, 11:22 PM
#11
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...
06-10-2013, 01:02 PM
#14
The 2011+ models have the bolt attaches so that it doesn't fall off then you unscrew it!
06-17-2013, 09:50 AM
#15
Registered User
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.
I paid $32 including tax for the part from the dealer a bit over a year ago.