how do you remove the front door panels in order to replace speakers?

Asked by billo827 Jul 30, 2007 at 09:08 PM about the 2001 Toyota Sienna

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

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dvigano answered 17 years ago

Hi billo827, There is a special tool called a Door Panel Removal Tool used for such an occassion. This tool lifts the panel away from the door frame without damaging the clips or panel. You may also have to lift up on the panel (once all other items have been removed - door handles, arm rests, etc) in order to break the top portion free from the window channel. Hope this helps!

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kb04090 answered 14 years ago

I have a 2003 Toyota Sienna ... 1.Remove the phillips screw that holds the door handle trim piece (under the door handle) 2.Remove the small round trim cap carefully off the phillips screw near the front of the door. Pry gently around all sides of the cap, prying a little more each time. Retain cap. Remove screw. 3.Remove the arm rest by forcing it up with a screw driver. Start with the end towards the front of the car. Start prying at the front edge and next to the door panel. The arm rest has two clips (one at front edge and one about three inches back. Once the two clips are loose the arm rest flips towards you which unhooks the back two prongs. 4.Pry off the window and power-lock control panel. This trim piece has a metal clip that you need to press from the front edge. There is a small indent to allow a small screwdriver or putty knife for leverage. There is a lip that the knife will catch on and release the trim. The back of the trim has a fixed clip, so unless you release the front clip it won't budge! Unplug the attached wires at the white junction. If you have trouble doing so, insert a small allen wrench into the hole. It will quickly release the parts. 5.Now remove the 2 screws that appeared once the arm rest is off. 6.Next, remove the trim piece from around the door handle. I found this to be the toughest part of the removal. Carefully insert a flat pry tool above the locking mechanism. This should release one clip. Another clip is directly underneath this. I could not get it from underneath, but was able to CAREFULLY remove the trim piece by working it away from the door panel with a rocking motion. 7. Lastly, pry the bottom of the panel away from the door starting at the bottom back corner (you will feel where there is resistance). It is held in place by BREAKABLE plastic retaining clips, so work carefully, one at a time. There is an additional wiring connection between the light in the door panel and the door. As you lift the panel from the bottom, unhook this connection. 8.Remove the entire door panel by lifting up and away from the door. 9. Reinstall by reversing steps. 6.Your panel should now be completely loose on both sides and the bottom, held on only by the top lip (that is supposed to lift off) and the door handle trim 7.The door handle trim is a little tricky but once you know its not that hard. First of all its held it place by two clips. One is directory over the lock switch and one directly under it. Carefully pry underneath the trim in both of these location and twist the screwdriver to pop off the clips. There is still a hook clip nearer the front of the trim so to pull off the trim you have to kind of pop out the two clips while pulling towards the rear of the car since the hook clips slides out towards the rear.

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kb04090 answered 14 years ago

Disregard the items 6 and 7 after item 9.

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