Photo at right: Crumpled armrest on driver's door on author's 2004
Range Rover.
Introduction
The trim on the Range Rover III (otherwise known as the L322 or LM) is
generally of the highest quality, but there are a couple of common
problems that crop up on the interior door panels (usually on the
driver's door since that receiveds the most wear). The top of the
armrest becomes crumpled after a while, and many owners have also
reported peeling of the surface finish on the window switch trim panel.
Both issues are dealt with on this page.
Crumpled Armrest on Driver's Door It is not uncommon for the top of the armrest that is part
of the door
trim to become crumpled (see photo above). This usually happens on the
driver's door, because of it receiving the most wear, When this problem
happened
on my 2004, the dealer said it was quite common, and replaced it
without charge. However I expect this problem will show up on Range
Rovers beyond the warranty period, as the armrests on the other doors
will wear out later, as the
design appears to be the same for all doors.
Although a visual inspection suggests the armrest is a separate part,
the official shop manual only details replacement of the entire door
trim casing (see illustrated instructions below). Once you have the
casing off, you can determine whether it is feasible to dismantle it
further to separate the armrest only or the entire trim-colored panel.
Inspecting mine after the dealer performed the repair, I could see that
the
entire interior trim-colored panel (outlined in the photo at right) had
definitely been replaced at a minimum, and possibly the whole trim
casing (see instructions for removing the door
trim casing below).
Peeling
Window Control Switch Trim
The driver's door trim casing is fitted with a switch pack linked to
the Body Control Unit (BCU) via the P-Bus. This controls all four
windows, and includes an isolation switch for the rear door windows,
the door mirrors and the central locking system. The rear corner of
this window switch pack panel, where the driver's hand rubs against it
during operation, is prone to delamination of its black finish (see
photo below). This is a commonly known problem, and if the vehicle is
still under warranty the dealer should replace it for you. If you are
beyond the warranty period, see the section on "Removing
the
Window Switch Panel" below.
Removing Door Panel Trim Casing
The trim casings on all the doors are secured by screws and retaining
studs that are located around the front, rear and bottom sides, plus a
few clips along the top. To remove the panel, proceed as
follows:
1. Remove the three screws securing the door trim panel (photo below
left). (The top rear one is behind the oval plastic trim piece that has
to be removed to access the screw).
2. Carefully pry the bottom, left and right edges of the trim casing
away from the door. There are 13 studs behind the trim along these
edges, which will be disengaged in the process. Also pull the
door pull/armrest away from the door; there is an additional clip
behind this (photo below right).
3. Pull the entire door panel away horizontally, disengaging the seven
additional clips along its top edge (photo below left). As you pull the
trim panel away completely, you have to be careful not to damage the
locking button which has to be disengaged from its hole in the top of
the panel.
4. Before the trim panel can be completely separated and put aside, you
have to disengage the door latch operating cable that is attached to
the opening handle (photo below right).
Removing the Window Switch Panel
The window switch panel has to be lifted vertically out of the door
trim panel assembly (see drawing below at right, adapted from the
official
shop manual). Unfortunately the tweeter and trim on the front of the
window above it are in the way (photo below left), preventing easy
removal. Accordingly,
the official procedure is to first remove the entire door trim assembly
as described above. Then, you can lift the window switch panel
vertically out of it and unplug its multiplug. There are some tabs
along its bottom edge that help secure it (see drawing).
Switch panel showing front door
trim casing (including tweeter) above it preventing easy removal.
Removing the panel by pulling it
vertically out of the main door trim casing.
At first sight it appears that a better approach would be to remove the
tweeter and associated trim (officially called the front door trim
casing) from the top half of the door instead, allowing the switch
panel to be lifted out. However from examining all the available
drawings of this assembly, it appears to protrude down behind the main
door trim panel casing. Indeed, the official procedure for removing it
involve first removing the main trim panel casing.
It is not uncommon for the top of the armrest that is part
of the door
trim to become crumpled (see photo above). This usually happens on the
driver's door, because of it receiving the most wear, When this problem
happened
on my 2004, the dealer said it was quite common, and replaced it
without charge. However I expect this problem will show up on Range
Rovers beyond the warranty period, as the armrests on the other doors
will wear out later, as the
design appears to be the same for all doors. 
