Well, after putting the job off for long enough, as I had replacement springs in the garage for I reckon 2 years I thought I would have a go at the weekend.

Started with the rear passenger doors, and all went well - approx. 30mins each door

Then onto the fronts, and noticed that the window rail blocked access to the door lock.

So my question is to anyone that has changed the fronts - what is the best way of doing it? Do I need to take out the window and the frame to get to the lock, or can I just remove that one side rail, and how bad of a job is it to do? I did have a search, but could only see pics for the rear boot door and the rear passenger doors - not the front doors

Unless you have very small hands, IME, its easier to remove the frame and glass etc., to get at everything. its a time consuming tedious job, but not difficult per se. (Ball ache ..yes!)

Its worth remembering that once you have done them - they will probably last at least as long as the originals.

that's what I was suspecting after have the door card off.......

oh well, will have to wait for another dry weekend to have another go

done mine not long ago and taking the frame and glass out was the way i done it if i remember correctly its a couple of bolts near the top of the door and 2 more inside on the rails 1 each side. was fairly quick and easy to do but if you havent got someone to help hold things when its going back in it can be a little fiddly. main thing i would say as warning though is there are small plastic parts on the back of the lock barrels that snap off easy if your not careful. end result you cant use the key to open or close the door. good news is though you can buy just the plastic part if like me you snap one.
good luck sturox

additional info on the springs: the boot door is a B**** to do mine is still the original because after about 3 hours of fighting the lock i couldnt get it out so put it back in place and left it lol

You can leave the glass in place and just move the frame upwards out of the way, I found it easier to remove the door handles as this makes it easier to reconnect the poxy little bars back together