Door Panel Removal

[SuperGLS]

I just threw this together because I know it's a common question for everyone.

http://www.elantraxd.com/DIY/doorpanel.php

I hope this helps everyone out.

Also, I updated other DIY's with a link to this one that needed it.

[joeypasta]

Thank You for this! I could figure it out myself, but your DIY will save me time, and save some pulling on parts that are not supposed to be pulled on.

[JuMpMaN6235]

Good DIY

When installing Dynamat on the doors, how is it supposed to be... Do you completely remove the plastic covering the sticky side... Or do u just remove the Border plastic then just stick on the doors

[SuperGLS]

Cool, I'm happy to see it'll be useful.

As for the Dynamat, someone else is going to have to help you on that one... mine are stock.

[james65]

What size are the speakers?

[ultramove69]

I realize door panel remove should be common sense but you've helped me out a lot. Thank you

[04GTboySC]

when i tried putting the door panel back on the thing that plugs into the door so the lights will work doesnt want to stay in the hole any ideas on how to get that back in so the little lights work? i know its probably easy but im dumb founded :(

[SuperGLS]

I realize door panel remove should be common sense but you've helped me out a lot. Thank you

That's what I'm here for. Thanks for the thanks.

when i tried putting the door panel back on the thing that plugs into the door so the lights will work doesnt want to stay in the hole any ideas on how to get that back in so the little lights work? i know its probably easy but im dumb founded :(

What do you mean Scott?

[04GTboySC]

like ok, i have the door panel off because the door marker bulb blew out the other day. I took the door panel completely off - dumb me so i un hooked that adapter for the electronics in the door like those little lights that come on when its night time where the lock / windows ugg its hard to explain that adapter keeps falling out of place when im putting the panel back on

[CTele02]

Nice DIY. Does anyone have one for the Rear Deck (4Dr Sedan)... I always have to guess how to approach removing it (even though ive done it like 4 times several months in between each time) so Ive wasted a lot of time. Because i'm Interested in putting a Rear Strut Bar sometime soon (maybe ill write one up then or something) and im wondering the exact steps to how its done, since it is Winter I don't want to spend too much time outside.
Also about the DIY for the dynomat, maybe we can have these DIYs "nest" on top of each other, so that the Dynomat DIY doesn't repeat the same steps as the one you have for removing the door panel itll go along the lines of:
Step 1: Remove Door Panel (then link to that DIY).
Step 2: Place Dynomat etc.

Another Example would be a general "Remove Dash Board DIY" and after that one, other DIYs that involve Replacing Gauges, Tiburon Multi Guages etc would link off of those. So that the Replacing Gauges DIY could say:
Step 1: Remove Dash Board (then link to that DIY)
Step 2: (continue onto that DIY from there)

Both this Door Removal DIY and the Rear Deck DIY could be spliced into an "Upgrading Speakers DIY"... so these general DIYs are building blocks to more specific modifications.
Just to help clean things up, and make things easier and more organized. (as long as the general diy's are as clearly put with PICTUREs as this one)

Edit: Just noticed the dash removal DIY already up http://www.elantraxd.com/DIY/dashremoval.php
Eventhough its alot of common sense what im stating, what im saying is that maybe these existing DIYs could be edited/grouped together a little more neatly, since many are linked involving the same initial steps.

[SuperGLS]

Scott, I understand what you are saying now, but it has never happened to me...

Many of the DIY's that have been posted after the "starter" DIY's do have links like you have suggested.

Honestly though, I think they are grouped fairly well. It's not like there is 10 million that you have to look through. Only 50 or so... thoughts?

[04GTboySC]

dangit, i just tried again and it wont stay, i think it mite help if someone was helpin me hold the door or somthing my arms arent long enough maybe?

[paki]

super glue! or some kind of adhesive. when i opened up my door panels one of my plugs had this black stuff on there which held it together.. it was easy to pry it apart but taking the glue off was a PITA.. it held it pretty well. i honestly dont know what its called.. just use a rubber band or go to a local crafts store to see how much a plastic bonding glue is

[skeetre]

I removed my door panels today to put in the components.. man, what a pain in the butt! It's not nearly as easy as this DIY seems. Or maybe it's just me, or just my doors... But in the picture I only see like one wire harness, mine has like 4 or 5. Anyway, thos aren't a big deal.. but it took me forever to actually get the door panels off the door, wiggling and pulling up and out and what not, finally get 'em off, get the speakers installed, and got one door back on, now I can't get the passenger door on. Seems like there's something that has to hook where the foam stuff is right near the door jam. I can't get it to hook on there. Anyone got some ideas, what angle to hold it at, or anything? Also, is there an easy place to splice into the speaker wires leading into the door jam from the inside?

EDIT: Ok, I guess I just needed a break, I just went back down and got it on like the 2nd try. Still though.. that junk was a pain.

[Vampyrate]

yeah, pulling them off is a breeze, its putting them back on thats a real *****

[SuperGLS]

Tip for putting them back on:

Roll the windows all the way down and put the top front in place first, the rest falls right into place.

Once you've done it 3-4 times it's a real breeze.

[skeetre]

Ah, ok, if I pull them off again.. I'll try it with the window rolled down. :)

[Roasted]

Sorry to bump this, but new member here using the search function and just had to post.

I just picked up an 01 Elantra GLS, my 93 Grand Am GT finally bit the dust after 4 years of severe beating. :)

I'm trying to keep the interior as nice as possible, because I received the car in impecible condition.

I've got some JBL GTO 3 ways I picked up this afternoon I'd like to install, however the door panel is confusing me. This DIY shows in the very first picture of the link that the two rubber grommets on the right side must be removed.

****If you are confused over what I am talking about, look at the original link in this thread. At the first picture, there's two red squares he pointed out on the right side. They are right along the edge of the door panel.

Anyway, I can't figure out how to get these off without literally ripping them off. I tried some pliers but it just tears at them, so I wanted to check here to see if you guys had any bright ideas or not. Sorry if it's a dumb question but I'd rather ask than finding out later I could of done it so much easier with less damage.

Also - These are the last two things I need to remove before being prepared to lift the panel off. Now, as of now, with all of the other screws removed, my door panel is still relatively stiff against the door. I hope these last two screws are all that's causing it.

[A&F 01 GLS]

to remove the door... the "grommets" or whatever... the little caps inside can be removed with a very fine flat head screw driver... i say fine because i scratched mine to hell with a larger cuz it's harder to get in there... anyhoo.. just "pop" those off.... unscrew everything and pull out on the door handle cuz there are plastic clips holding it in... so... pull .. then lift up... its friggin easy... my sisters can do it

** JUST the inside comes off of the "grommets"... not the out side too...and its more of a prying to pop them... idk how u could use a pliers.....

[Doohickie]

Use a very small screwdriver on the center pieces and gently pry them off.

Looking at the DIY, there is a small detail that hung me up:

When removing the door panel, it can be done exactly the way the DIY says. But when installing it, it is important to remove the triangular trim piece for the rear view mirror. Once the door trim is off, the mirror trim can easily be pulled off with your hand. I found that trying to reinstall the door trim with the mirror trim in place, it's almost impossible to get everything to line up and get the top of the door where it needs to be, but removing the mirror trim makes it simple.

[Roasted]

Damnit I'm an idiot. I had no idea the CENTER ONLY pops out. I was trying to pry out the whole thing. Luckily my instinct stopped me from damaging it.

I'm installing the speakers now, but from the get-go I realized the 6.5's I got won't match up to the screw holes from the previous speaker. So what I did is I'm taking a little chance, and I took my old speakers apart completely. I'm using these sharp *** metal sheers to cut the basket out of the speaker, so all I have left is the metal edge with the mounting holes in it. I'll take some pictures and upload here in case anybody is interested.

[skeetre]

Use a very small screwdriver on the center pieces and gently pry them off.

Looking at the DIY, there is a small detail that hung me up:

When removing the door panel, it can be done exactly the way the DIY says. But when installing it, it is important to remove the triangular trim piece for the rear view mirror. Once the door trim is off, the mirror trim can easily be pulled off with your hand. I found that trying to reinstall the door trim with the mirror trim in place, it's almost impossible to get everything to line up and get the top of the door where it needs to be, but removing the mirror trim makes it simple.

I didn't know this! That's why I had such a dang hard time getting mine back on.

THanks for the tip!

[Doohickie]

I figured I wasn't the only one. Maybe the DIY could be modified to add that detail?