[Saulutations]

Recommend two people if possible cause the panel is sort of a pain while it's still connected to the locking mechanism. That way someone can hold the door while trying to unhook. Otherwise it's an interesting balancing act.

Driver side pillar panel.
- Pull bottom, slide down

Driver side mirror panel, single friction clip (red rectangle),
- pull straight out.

Driver side door handle
- Remove rubber cover inside door pit
- unscrew single screw
- remove window control unit
- front side lifts up, rear of unit slides towards front of car
- unhook window control unit cable

- Remove single screw in door handle recess that joins door panel to door frame.

Remove latch handle plate
- depress small tab with small flathead screwdriver and take out panel to expose screws

- Remove two screws in door latch unit

- Holding on to door handle, lift door panel straight up (may take a couple tugs)
- Beware of falling green pins that may pop out of door.
- I found that removing all the green pins from the door frame and putting back in to the panel was easier than trying to line up the holes and slide back down when putting door back on.

Green dots are where I think I remember the green pins to be.

If you want to remove the entire door panel, you'll have to swivel the clip locks holding the latch and automatic lock wire in place in order to remove them.

Also be careful when replacing the door panel that the window control unit, the door light and other wires are pulled through the appropriate panel holes and not trapped between the door frame and panel or if you shove hard enough you will make a dent in the exterior door panel.

Sorry I just happen to be taking some pictures while I was doing something else and didn't plan on any DIY so wasn't very detailed. Hope it helps though.

-Hoi

When you say if we want to remove the entire door panel, do you mean that cloth like piece with the plastic piece in the center that says SZT FL? Because I really just want to remove the actual door card to exchange some trim pieces, but not if there's a big chance that I will dent the door. I'm guessing if the other panel stays on the door, there is no chance that I will dent it?

I'm also assuming that you may have used a trim tool? I tried prying out the door handle/window controls after removing the screw and it wouldn't budge.

 

[MrNo408]

what is the door card?????

 

[Saulutations]

The plastic piece that is the entire interior of the doors. So where you rest your arm to what covers the speakers. I have no idea why it's called a door card.

 

[MrNo408]

i got you i've been forever trying to figure out how to that piece out myself

 

[SecondWind]

hoisumguo: Thank you for this DIY. However, I have followed your instructions; I have found all of the screws and removed them. (Only problem was the black plastic cover over the pillar on the rear edge of the door. The pin would NOT come out of the light gray plastic socket, and broke off.) Now I'm trying to move the door panel vertically, but it won't budge. I've tried banging the bottom of the panel with a rubber mallet, but get no movement at all. It feels so solid! What could I be missing? (2011 EX 6MT)

 

[MachVEvan]

Hoi made a great DIY, even if it requires some faith and just a little luck to pull it off.

Use the last picture in the walkthrough as a guide and slip a plastic prybar behind the panel (where each clip lies) and firmly pry the panel away from the door. You still may break some of the panel clips, but they are pretty cheap and are designed to be sacrificial for this procedure.

 

[aRk0o]

I found that removing all the green pins from the door frame and putting back in to the panel was easier than trying to line up the holes and slide back down when putting door back on.

Does someone have a detail picture of these clips?
I think it would really help to know how they work when prying the panel.

 

[CRaZee]

Great post... thanks! Got my door apart today with no problem. :thumbsup:

 

[saycakap]

i cant see the photo..can u upload it again?

 

[Riztnack]

Same, Unable to see the pics.

 

[chimaera]

The post is four years old and hoisumguo hasn't posted in over a year. I don't think the pictures are coming back.

 

[FockerJoe]

Images don't load!

 

[HondaHolly]

Everyone stop complaining about not being able to see the pictures. The person who uploaded them to a photo hosting website most likely deleted them, and he isn't active on this forum currently.

The post is four years old and hoisumguo hasn't posted in over a year. I don't think the pictures are coming back.

 

[chimaera]

DOOR HANDLE REVISITED, CONDENSED

2011 USDM DIY CHANGES (READ FIRST)

1: the rear inner pillar cover removal should go like this. Pillar is on one friction clip in the middle of the panel. To lift panel, force to the front, on the lower half, to release from the door. Slide your fingers behind the panel to locate the friction clip. Force away from the door around the clip to avoid breakage.

2: to remove the window switch panel. Pry at the rear-most edge to pop the plastic clips the run along the edges of the panel. Finally remove by sliding rearward and disconnect the wiring. ...this step is crucial since in mine there is a locking tab that levers in and retains the front of the switch panel. I was lucky it didn't break from using this walkthrough.

3: the door handle does not need to be removed from the door. The door handle/lock lever, are used as a unit to retain the top of the door card. Once you take the screws out, it does not have any physical attachment to the card. Meaning that once you pop free the door card, all you have to do is pass the handle through the door card and let it hang...this is a huge time saver and really keeps incidents down since it is a real task trying to get the cables off the handle.

HOISUMGUO DIY, pictures restored & rehosted

Recommend two people if possible cause the panel is sort of a pain while it's still connected to the locking mechanism. That way someone can hold the door while trying to unhook. Otherwise it's an interesting balancing act.

Driver side pillar panel.
- Pull bottom, slide down

Driver side mirror panel, single friction clip (red rectangle),
- pull straight out.

Driver side door handle
- Remove rubber cover inside door pit
- unscrew single screw
- remove window control unit
- front side lifts up, rear of unit slides towards front of car
- unhook window control unit cable

- Remove single screw in door handle recess that joins door panel to door frame.

Remove latch handle plate
- depress small tab with small flathead screwdriver and take out panel to expose screws

- Remove two screws in door latch unit

- Holding on to door handle, lift door panel straight up (may take a couple tugs)
- Beware of falling green pins that may pop out of door.
- I found that removing all the green pins from the door frame and putting back in to the panel was easier than trying to line up the holes and slide back down when putting door back on.

Green dots are where I think I remember the green pins to be.

If you want to remove the entire door panel, you'll have to swivel the clip locks holding the latch and automatic lock wire in place in order to remove them.

Also be careful when replacing the door panel that the window control unit, the door light and other wires are pulled through the appropriate panel holes and not trapped between the door frame and panel or if you shove hard enough you will make a dent in the exterior door panel.

Sorry I just happen to be taking some pictures while I was doing something else and didn't plan on any DIY so wasn't very detailed. Hope it helps though.

-Hoi

 

[WendyH]

People can also go look at the door fabric replacement thread over in DIY. That's what I used.

 

[RichXKU]

Thanks for updating this thread. I had to replace my side mirror and couldn't figure out where to start pulling without the pics.
I still broke 4 of the 7 clips but oh well.

 

[Letstakeawalk]

Thanks for updating this thread. I had to replace my side mirror and couldn't figure out where to start pulling without the pics.
I still broke 4 of the 7 clips but oh well.

Fewer clips means it's just easier to take apart the next time... :thumbsup:

Just rearrange the ones you have left so that they hold the panel evenly.

 

[WendyH]

Or buy more clips from Amazon. That way your door won't flex and rattle.