Door panel removal: What am I missing?

[Smokinjoe]

I'm trying to take off my front door panels so I can install some speakers I got for Christmas.

This is how far I got:

(1) screw under the sail panel.

(2) screws behind the door handle.

(2) screws on the bottom of the door.

(1) screw near storage pocket (under screw cover).

(2) screws on the "door latch" side of the door.

Thats 8 screws removed so far. In the Audio FAQ's, it says there are 2 screws "under the center portion of the door handle"

Is this what the post is refering too? Are there scews in here? If so, how do I get the door handle apart without damaging it.

I seriously appeciate any and all help you guys can give me. Thank you. :help:

 

[Pen_Two]

I used something along the lines of a razor blaze since it was thin enough to not disfigure the material.

 

[CarpePoon]

I used something along the lines of a razor blaze since it was thin enough to not disfigure the material.

DONT PRY FROM THE OUTSIDE!!!Look under (bottom side) the handle and there should be 1 or 2 square openings where you insert a small regular screw driver and the insert pops right out revealing the 2 screws.

 

[tourinit]

longer copper colored screws are under there. Sometimes a pain in the butt to put back in only because the screw near the speaker screen is same color but different length and easily confused, but you should have it come right off after that. Luckily we dont have plastic clips like most newer cars that easily break almost everytime.

 

[Aaron88]

DONT PRY FROM THE OUTSIDE!!!Look under (bottom side) the handle and there should be 1 or 2 square openings where you insert a small regular screw driver and the insert pops right out revealing the 2 screws.

This is correct except that there us only (1) square hole per handle.

Here is a picture for your convenience.

 

[rexxdoggy]

DONT PRY FROM THE OUTSIDE!!!Look under (bottom side) the handle and there should be 1 or 2 square openings where you insert a small regular screw driver and the insert pops right out revealing the 2 screws.

DAMN! I NEVER KNEW THIS! lol Wow, all the 10 times or so I've taken the panels off, never bothers looking thoroughly at the handles.

 

[Aaron88]

DAMN! I NEVER KNEW THIS! lol Wow, all the 10 times or so I've taken the panels off, never bothers looking thoroughly at the handles.

Yep, great isn't it?

They really save you from damaging the plastic door handle surround.

 

[Lavell]

That makes 2 of us. I've taken my door panels off many times to install speakers or to fix window regulators and I never realized this!:troutslap:

DAMN! I NEVER KNEW THIS! lol Wow, all the 10 times or so I've taken the panels off, never bothers looking thoroughly at the handles.

 

[rexxdoggy]

I mean, I was always careful to not bend around the corners of the handle inserts, but it's inevitable when you try to pry a thin flat head in there lol 0_o

 

[dlphnfn]

I never knew that access was in the bottom either. I've always used 2 credit cards with a screwdriver in the middle! Works for me!
Erick --

 

[Smokinjoe]

Thanks fot the info guys. Very helpful.