can anyone tell me, hows the best way to get the door panels off?

 

Check out the Audio/Electronics section. There's a C5 FAQ sticky there with a step by step with pics.

 

I have found this set of instructions from Vette Esssentials to be pretty good...

http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...or_handle.html

 

I purchased an inexpensive garden tool that has a forked end. I rounded it off and it works good to get behind the panel to pop the studs off the retainers without breaking the stud mounting pads on back of the door panel. I think I paid about 5-6 bucks.

 

The Vette Essentials instructions are excellent!

If I only want to swap out the front speakers, can I lift off the speaker grill only or do I need to take the entire door panel off as described in this thread?

 

Thanks guys been wanting to repaint my panels.

 

Must take the entire panel off. Takes less than 5 minutes.
Remove bezel from around the door handle. There are two tabs, one top and one bottom. Place a flathead screwdriver in the slot for the tabs and press down and in at about a 45 degree angle while pulling the bezel outward. You will feel it release.
Next, take the small access panel behind the door handle off. There are 2 #25torx screws behind there. Remove them.
Next, take the door reflector off, so you have a place to grab onto.
Now, using either a trim tool, or two small flatheads wrapped with cloth, work your way around the outer edge of the panel, prying the pins loose from the female connections. (If you use flatheads, place one on either side of the pin and pry outward until you feel it break loose.) You will feel them POP loose. I believe there are 6.
Then just lift the door panel off the channel at the top of the door, dis-connect the electrical connections for the door control module and the speaker.
Panel off.
To put it back on, reverse above directions, making sur eyou line up the pins on the panel(male and female). Once you have them lined up, just go around the edge of the door and give each one a good rap with the palm of your hand.