Door panels are designed to hide and protect the inner workings of your vehicle's door. If you need to remove the interior door panel, it's likely not because of a problem with the panel itself, but rather, a problem with the inner working of the door,

like the lock cylinder

If you find yourself in a situation where removing your car door panel is recommended,

Jerry

has everything you need to know below.

Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds

No spam · No long forms · No fees

Find insurance savings

Materials needed to remove a car door panel

Before you get started, gather these tools and materials:

Screwdrivers (various sizes)

Socket wrench (various-sized sockets)

Trim removal toolkit

L pick (optional for trim removal)

Flashlight

Remove the bolts and screws

The first thing you'll want to do when removing a car door panel is to check out the various bolts, screws, and fasteners that attach the panel to the car door to determine what tools you need to remove them. While most car models use bolts and screws as the primary means of attaching the panel to the car door frame, some might use snap-in fittings.

Remove the screws and bolts with the proper tools and put them in a safe place.

MORE:

How to replace your car door

Detach the trim

Using an L pick or a small flathead screwdriver, carefully remove the trim pieces, including the armrest, plastic fascia, and trim around the edges of the panel. When removing snap-in fittings, apply gentle pressure to avoid any damage.

Keep an eye out for hidden fasteners behind trim pieces and make sure they are also removed and stored in a safe place.

Remove the inner components

Next, detach inner components, such as the door handle, speaker, and other items that need to be removed before the door panel will come off. When removing the handle, be careful not to tear off the linkage that attaches the handle to the door. Gently pull the handle forward out of its socket, and use a screwdriver to remove the plastic clip holding the linkage to the handle.

If there is a speaker, remove its cover first. You can do this by gently pulling it outward. Next, remove any screws attaching the speaker to the door frame.

Make sure to keep the fasteners for the door handle and speaker in a separate container so that you don’t mix them with the fastener for the panel.

MORE:

How to remove a broken key from my car door lock

Detach the door panel

After checking the panel again for any hidden screws, bolts, and fasteners, it’s time to remove it. Use a large flathead screwdriver and thrust it between the door and the panel. As you work your way around the frame, you should hear popping as the plastic clips holding the panel in place release.

If you haven’t already disconnected the window switch wiring, you’ll need to do so before being able to remove the car door panel. To do this, find the switch’s safety release clip and depress it to release the connector. Once that is complete, you should be able to pull the door panel away from the door frame.

By following the above steps, you can successfully remove a car door panel from your car door.

RECOMMENDED