How to Disasemble Interior Door Panels

The interior or exterior door handle no longer works, the window fell off its track, you need to replace the window motor, you want to install new speakers in the doors; for whatever reason, there comes a time when you might want to take off the interior door panel. Taking it off is not as challenging as some of the reasons mentioned why, but it will require the right tools and the correct amount of determination and tenacity to succeed without damaging the interior panels or other components of your vehicle.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Variety of straight edged and Philips head Screwdrivers Medium angle pry bar.

How to Disassemble an Interior Door Panel

1. Open the car door and roll the window down. If equipped with a push-down door lock knob on top, unscrew the knob and set aside.

2. Locate the interior handle and arm rest of the interior door panel. On the handle there should be a Philips head screw. Remove the screw and then the handle. It may be pressed on to a metal rod so as long as the screw is removed, you should be able to pry the handle off the rod. On the armrest, usually in the location you would place your hand when you're close to the door, there should be another screw, however, this may be covered with a plastic plug that will need to be removed to see the head of the screw. Using an appropriate sized flat edged screwdriver, gently remove the plug and extract the screw from under it.

3. Locate the speaker on the door if applicable. Some speaker covers remain intact with the door panel and allow you to move the panel, others have removable speaker covers. If you notice any screws or bolts on the face of the speaker cover, remove them.

4. Search the circumference of the interior door panel thoroughly trying to locate any other screws that may be necessary to extract before attempting to remove. Some may be located on the bottom and sides of the interior door panel. This step is very important to ensure you've removed all retaining screws or bolts of the interior frame. There may not be many; there may not be any depending on the model, but be sure before you try to remove the panel.

5. Pry the panel gently using an angled pry bar and pulling forward. Start on the back side of the door panel. There are squeeze clips on the inside of the interior door panels. Some are made of metal, some are made of plastic, so apply a degree of delicateness when performing this task. The panel is going to need to be pulled towards you until it releases from the door by all of its squeeze clips. You will be able to use your hands and arms instead of the pry bar after a couple of the squeeze clips are free. If there are any areas that seem to bind up, recheck them to make sure you did not miss a screw or bolt holding the panel.

6. Lift the panel upward when it is free from the door. The upper ridge of interior door panels usually sit down inside the window cavity. To replace, reverse the procedure.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure if there are a lot of small screws and parts that you take note and keep track of where they go when you're ready to replace them.

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