Using the Parts Guide for Reference

There are some differences in the way door panels are removed from vehicle to vehicle. Some vehicles may have very complicated components and you may want to refer to the parts list guide for your specific vehicle so that you are sure of where all the parts are and what does and does not need to be removed. The parts list guide can be found through the dealership via the parts department. So if you have any doubts about your specific vehicle use the parts guide as a tool.

Side Air Bags and Removing Door Panels

Make sure to read your users manual carefully when it comes to working around air bags. Although very unlikely, this could become a serious safety issue if the airbag is deployed. If you want to remove the door panels in order to make a repair or for whatever reason disconnect the battery to make sure your airbag is secure, better safe than sorry.

Basics of Removing Door Panels

1. Remove any items that may be holding the door panel to the door

• check the armrests
• the door latch
• Look for screws, typically in or around the armrest and the door latch and toward the bottom and the inner side of the door panel.  They may be visible or covered with a trim piece. This is an example but they can come in different shape variations.

 

• If your screw covers are missing you can purchase them through the dealership or click on the image for purchasing options.

2. Mark all parts and if necessary make a diagram of where each item goes for ease of re installation.

3. Disconnect electronics, take a picture of how these go together if needed for reference during installation.

4. There may be more screws that become visible once you have removed the small parts attached to the door panel. Remove all of these screws as well and mark them for reference.

5. Once all of the screws and clips have been removed you can begin to remove the door panel by lifting the door panel up. The door panel is secured with clips at the top. They essentially hang off of the top of the door with these clips. If you pull on the panel you may break the clips so make sure your pushing or lifting the panel up rather than out. The panel should come off easily at this point.

6. If you hare having trouble getting the panel off, inspect the panel to make sure you haven’t overlooked any screws or pieces that should be removed before the door panel comes off. If you are sure all screws, clips and trim pieces have been removed and the panel is still not coming off refer to the parts guide for your vehicle via your car manufacturers website or from the dealership parts department.