Hey there AMC,

I've done a search and come up with no results or answers.

After replacing the door handle (inside) on my 2001 TJ, i notice that the door material (Somebody please tell me what this is called - i am having a blank minded day) was coming loose. I decided to inspect how it should be reattached/replaced and have found a whole heap of brown powder. I'm not sure if this is something that has gotten wet and rotted away or just part of the design?

I also noticed it on the driver side rear door as well as under the upholstery of the driver seat.

Is this bad? or is it just a matter of getting the vacuum and sucking it all up?

Thanks

Cardboard on the door trim disintegrating?

Are the plastic sheets used to keep water off the door cards still in place? Some people remove these and suffer the consequences next time it rains.

. . . . inspect for white ants . . . . /jk

Yeah, suck it up. lol If it is inside the door, it will retain moisture and cause rusting.

On second thought, if you have only removed the interior handle, it may just be the backing foam on that piece of material disintegrating. My TJ had all the fabric on the door cards come unstuck, lots of woolly brown fluffy stuff when I pulled the cards apart to reglue the fabric. If that is what it is, nothing to worry about, unless the fabric is coming loose at the edges.

On second thought, if you have only removed the interior handle, it may just be the backing foam on that piece of material disintegrating. My TJ had all the fabric on the door cards come unstuck, lots of woolly brown fluffy stuff when I pulled the cards apart to reglue the fabric. If that is what it is, nothing to worry about, unless the fabric is coming loose at the edges.

+1
I think it's the brown backing foam on the door cards. Nothing to worry about, just the car becoming a grandpa.

My TJ did this, my TL doesn't. Go figure. But then the TL compensates by having other problems. lol

Okay, thats good to hear.

Ill go at it with the vacuum and be on my way.

Thanks guys :)

Foams, rubber and plastic ages. Its the only flaw in an otherwise brilliant plan to buy a low mileage but older car ;).
10 years seems to be the tipping point.