Hey all,

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I couldn't get any results with the search. How do you get the door panel off? I've taken all the screws out, but there's still something keeping it on, about where the handle is. I got a picture of the inside, as you can see below. Is there any easy trick that I'm just not getting, or is it going to be a touch and go pain every time I want to change speakers, etc? I've already removed and replaced the enclosure inside like 3 times with the panel flopping in the way.

Thanks!

 

did you unplug all the harnesses? ie: power door locks, power windows, courtesy lights?

 

also you should be able to take the whole inside door handle off before removing the door panel. there should be a rod going from the handle to the part that opens the door.

 

are you saying that it's being held on at the door handle or the arm rest area? If it's the door handle, you must take off the door handle. There is a screw there, unscrew it, and slide the whole plastic piece forward and it should somewhat pop out, but it is still attached by a metal rod and wire harness. If it's attached at the arm rest there is a plastic piece that coveres a screw which must be removed.

 

pop out the power door lock and window things (not sure what there called) remove the screws behind it.. there are also clips behind the panel that can be popped lose with a screwdriver or anything of that sort.

 

I've unscrewed everything I can get at.... There aren't any more screws I can see, except those way up inside. It seems to be attached right below the latch, but above the arm rest. See that little green plastic cap? That's what's holding it on. The purple thing with the rod is the arm that goes to the door release mechinism. I want to do some sound deadening in my doors, and that's pretty impossible with the panel still on.

I've seriously examined the outside, and unless I have to rip material, there are no more screws to take out.

 

i think what you have to do is remove the the door cable from the handle by pushing on the purple thing and poping the cable from out of the doorhandle. I'm having trouble following you but thats that i think. Be careful not to break the purple plastic piece. I sure did when i was removing my door handles.

 

I tried really hard to do that, but it wouldn't budge. I kept unintentionally bending so it wouldn't come off without breaking. Does anyone with one of those manuals to do anything with your accord have any tips? I haven't been able to find one of those yet.

Are there any tools that would make this easier? I've tried long screwdrivers, needlenose pliers, hunks of wood.... I'm getting frustrated with the darn thing. I wish Honda was a little nicer with the design of these things.


Modified by Diceman at 11:57 PM 5/4/2005

 

sorry, i dont have a solution to your prob, but i noticed u mentioned "those manuals to do anything with your accord." of the names out there (helms, chilton, haynes), you should consider investing the 60-70 for a helms. itll show you how to do just about anything, and the RIGHT way, so you dont have to worry about breaking things! gl!

 

there are 2 screws in the door handle that are hidden behind two little round plastic pieces. one is behind the silver part of the door handle and the other is over by the door lock. i believe it is in a different spot depending on whether you have 2 or 4 doors and power or manual door locks.
once these two screws are out you can pull the door handle off of the door panel, but it is still attached by that purple piece in the picture and the metal rod. once the screws are out you can get to the purple piece and pull it towards you with your fingers and then pull the rod up and out of the door handle and the door handle should be off.
then, on my car at least, there is one more bolt behind the passenger side and not on the drivers side, remove that bolt and the door panel should come off.

NOTE: if you are trying to get to that purple piece from where you took the picture, you are not doing it correctly. take a picture of what you door handle looks like and it will give us a better idea.

EDIT: I have a 90 2 door with power locks


Modified by r cleghorn at 1:37 AM 5/6/2005

 

Well, I got a haynes manual today, so I'll try what they say. Thanks cleghorn! I'll see if a combination of all this good info will work. Darn Honda.... I like most of the rest of their design work, but these door panels are annoying. I did an audio install on a Toyota 4runner today for my boss, and they had similarly annoying latch designs. I just bent the panel slightly up to do what I needed to do.

Here's what my passenger side door handle looks like:



Notice the crack... I don't think I did it, but it's kinda weak. I'm still not sure where I'm supposed to pull on it. I pulled pretty hard on all corners.

 

from the picture, it looks like you got the screw behind the round plastic piece, it also appears that you have a 4 door because my door handles have the actual lock on them and not just the power lock buttons. (im not sure about that but from what i remember that is correct.)

the next step would be to separate the door handle from the door panel. it is possible that this has not been removed for more than 10 years and that it has sort of "glued" itself to the door panel. easiest solution is to take a flathead screwdriver and separate it from the door panel all the way around handle to unstick it.

once you get it off, you will have access to that purple piece and the final bolt, and the panel should come off. all you will have left to do is unplug the wiring harness from the door locks, power mirrors, power windows, and door lights.

 

Sounds like a plan. When I go get my sound deadener, I'll try that. Thanks Cleghorn!

 

I am on my third cb7 and have had a '90 lx,'91ex,currently a '93 ex all 2drs.I have been in and out of those panels more time than I could count and have never taken the handle off.
First, I take out all the screws. Then, I lossen all the clips at the bottom of the door. Next, I lift the door panel from the bottom (leaving the top connected like a hinge). Finally, I pull the door handle out lift the panel off the top and slide it away&around the handle (exampe:driver side slide left).

 

I just read the haynes manual and it says take the screw out the inside door handle. Then lift the it in the front of the handle. Once you do that use a small screwdriver to disconnect the lock rod and remove. Then theres a screw behind it thats probably what's holding your panel on.
I guess its different for 2drs cause I have never done this. By the way what do you have 2 or 4?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zumiez007 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There is a screw there, unscrew it, and slide the whole plastic piece forward and it should somewhat pop out, but it is still attached by a metal rod and wire harness. </TD></TR></TABLE>
You've got the screw out. Push the whole plastic piece forward and it will kinda pop out/be able to be pulled out.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zumiez007 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
You've got the screw out. Push the whole plastic piece forward and it will kinda pop out/be able to be pulled out.</TD></TR></TABLE>
what he said it kinda slides one way or the other. then pops out.