Door Panel Removal
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,542
Likes: 385
From: Fort Worth Texas
Door Panel Removal
I removed my door panel to replace the busted Bose woofer. It takes a tremendous amount of force to pry the door panel away from the door.
The speaker was separating on the backside as they tend to do in the grand sports apparently. Waiting on new speaker to arrive...
The speaker was separating on the backside as they tend to do in the grand sports apparently. Waiting on new speaker to arrive...
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,767
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Bart, most auto parts stores sell a pack of plastic trim removal tools. I got a pack at O'Reilly's for about $15. It made the door panel removal a snap, and was done in seconds without breaking a single pin. It's a real PITA without them.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,767
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 420
Likes: 63
From: Earth
You just have to be careful. Start at the bottom and pull in the direction of the pin (straight out) and work your way around the door to the top. Remember the top is held on by a metal angle that drops into the upper channel. Also the connector to the speakers etc. is not super long so you can't really take the panel off and sit it on the floor; you have to prop it on your leg while disconnecting the cable if I recall correctly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 2,106
From: Left Coast, San Diego
You just have to be careful. Start at the bottom and pull in the direction of the pin (straight out) and work your way around the door to the top. Remember the top is held on by a metal angle that drops into the upper channel. Also the connector to the speakers etc. is not super long so you can't really take the panel off and sit it on the floor; you have to prop it on your leg while disconnecting the cable if I recall correctly.
And like stated in other posts, don't freak out when you hear the awful ripping/popping sound each pin makes as it releases. 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 420
Likes: 63
From: Earth
Yep, those plastic pins are multi-ribbed which adds to the noise they make. But once you get one out (or completed pulling off one panel) you know what you're hearing and it's no longer an issue. You just need to get used to it.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 514
Likes: 85
Driver side door rattle noise
Hello,
Thanks for your post on taking panel off and pics.
I have a rattle/buzzing noise on driver side which sounds like it might be from the top clip area. It also appears that the top area is a bit loose.
Are the top clips metal or plastic. It would appear that I need to remove the whole panel to reset them in place.
I tried to press the top of the door panel to see if it might slide back into place and no luck.
Any guidance is appreciated.
Regards,
Jim
Thanks for your post on taking panel off and pics.
I have a rattle/buzzing noise on driver side which sounds like it might be from the top clip area. It also appears that the top area is a bit loose.
Are the top clips metal or plastic. It would appear that I need to remove the whole panel to reset them in place.
I tried to press the top of the door panel to see if it might slide back into place and no luck.
Any guidance is appreciated.
Regards,
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 115
From: Phoenix AZ
The pins do make a lot of noise. Once you get a couple pulled, the rest seem to come out easier. Do start at the bottom. I did break on guide post on the passenger door that I had to epoxy back on which wasn’t a big deal. The pins are easily replaced if broken.
I am getting tha panels covered in a different pattern so I have yet to do the reinstall which I do here is a bit of a pain. Will report later...
I am getting tha panels covered in a different pattern so I have yet to do the reinstall which I do here is a bit of a pain. Will report later...
Racer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 478
Likes: 105
From: Diamond Bar Ca.
I had mine apart and even with the pry tools managed to break one of the pins. But the real fun doesn't begin until you try and put them back together. That, for me was exponentially more difficult.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,468
Likes: 1,149
From: Wayne Township WI
My Z's going in for rebuilt heads, asked if shop w/could install 2 used Bose subs from eBay + replace other 4 (per Dano will use Kickers).
Shop owner says sure, they've a box of spare clips.
Shop owner says sure, they've a box of spare clips.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 534
Likes: 33
From: Southern cali
the speaker failing in the grandsport is a common issue. All it takes is a small amount of moisture to invade the door to cause the separation.
also if you are removing the passenger door panel, you need a T30 to remove the two bolts holding the panel in place. one is under the handle, the other is hidden under your door pop button - just pry up the switch and button and it is under it.
also if you are removing the passenger door panel, you need a T30 to remove the two bolts holding the panel in place. one is under the handle, the other is hidden under your door pop button - just pry up the switch and button and it is under it.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 420
Likes: 63
From: Earth
When you put the panel back on, make sure to hang it in the channel completely front to back. You might also want to put a few small pieces of felt tape where it hangs because it's a metal on metal surface if I recall correctly. That will make sure to pad that contact and remove any rattling that might result from that interface.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,098
Likes: 1,606
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Got mine at harbor Freight for $10 or 12 bucks. Cheap but how often do you use them? NAPA has the little plastic clips and studs if you brake any.
