Removing interior door panels

[GrigioTR]

OK, it's time to see what that status of my window glass "thingies" are and while I am at it grease the glass channels since the driver's window is slow. I looked on the FAQ but did not see anything on the specifics or tools required to remove the interior door panels without damaging any clips or other attachments. Experiance tells me there is right way to remove the panels and the "let's see if I can figure this out" method that results in damaged panels or clips.

Can someone who has done this talk me throught the panel removal procedure? Thanks.

Loren

 

[jlindy]

Sure there is, you just didn't look hard enough.

http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/DIY/bose_rr.htm

 

[chumch]

It's page 20-6 through 20-7 in the service manual. And it's not that difficult. Something like 7 screws and a few clips.

 

[ChopsJazz]

After removing the screws that hold the door handle on take care to pop the clips off gently. They can be a bit fragile and can break if you are not caareful.

 

[D'Ecosse]

http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereoremovalAcuraNSXDoors.htm

Here's an excellent guide - there are some details I would add however.
When you get everything disconnected & ready to remove the panel, there are several things to watch out for:
1) In the second-last section of the above guide, before removing the panel, first position the little tabs of the panel perimiter (where you removed the screws in step 3 of this section) in front of the rubber seal.
2) For the passenger's side - prise the panel out slightly at the area just behind/below the bracket shown in the pic in this section; as you do so grasp the bottom corner of the panel immediatley below that with your other hand and rotate the panel counter-clockwise (as viewed from interior). Imagine the centre of the circle to be the front top corner. You will be easing the panel out of the top channel from the rear to the front. The panel should start to pop out of the channel - one point of interest: the chrome strip does not come with the panel but remains on the door!; it's not obvious till you've done it once!
3) Be careful as you unhook the panel from the door - there are still several connectors inside that you need to unlatch before you can remove the panel completely. So as you remove the panel, squat on the ground or sit in the seat with your legs outside the car & balance the panel on your legs without pulling it too far away from its installed position. Of these connectors, the most likely to get damaged is that for the interior light at the bottom of the door. (However, it is actually possible to disconnect that one by reaching up inside the panel once all the screws are out, before you remove the panel) Also on the driver's side you have the trunk release connector, the window module connector, the main switch panel electrical & the Bose connectors & finally the security lamp connector. (there are less on the pass. side but still be careful)

I'm maybe making this sound more complicated than it really is - I've had my door panels off so many times they practically remove themselves when I look at them just right! Really, it's not a bad job at all - there are a few surprises the first time you do it however so it's nice to know up front to be prepared.

 

[nicholas421]

don't store the door panels upright on the ground. there are plastic tabs on the bottom that are very fragile.

 

[D'Ecosse]

don't store the door panels upright on the ground. there are plastic tabs on the bottom that are very fragile.

Excellent point - I rest the panel vertically against the garage wall with the bottom edge sitting on a couple of small 2 x 4 blocks of wood, so the tabs don't take the weight.

 

[liftcontrol]

a few things...

--use a drill or power screw driver....too many screws to screw and unscrew
--be VERY careful removing the "sash" covers (the triangular pieces at the front and rear top of the door...it is almost impossible to not damage a couple of the clips
--keep some sort of glue at hand to reseal the plastic that you are likely to 'unseal' in the process
--make sure you have reconnected ALL the electrical connections before you reinstall the cover...(guess how I know that)...