Removing Door Panels

SuperH · Mar 17, 2004

I am trying to get inside of my door panels for speaker upgrades/amp addition.

I am wondering if anyone has removed their door panels for anything. I'm afraid to just pull on it because I don't want to crack the wonderful hard plastic.

I've seen GM door panels install a couple of ways in the past:
1.) Screws for secure mounting, and then the door panel just slides up and out to remove.
2.) Screws for secure mounting, and then the door panel just pulls straight out, and unclips.

Well, I removed the screws in the things, and all that I got was some trim. I tried sliding up, and got nothing. I tried pulling out (albeit, gently), and got nothing. So what's the deal? What's the correct procedure on the Colorado/Canyon door panels for safe and proper removal?

I attempted removal of rear crew cab door panels, though front door panel removal instruction would be equally useful, because I'm sure the procedure is the same.

Thanks.

S2k · Mar 17, 2004

If you're lucky, GM made it hard as hell to get into, so anything behind the door panel had to be done by a GM tech or someone trained in the "art".

I removed my '89 and '94 door panels in less than 15 mins. When I tried to get into the door panel of my GF's '00 Grand Am, it was like trying to break into a safe. Off to the dealership we went...

SuperH · Mar 17, 2004

My '02's panels removed easily. This is worse than trying to break into a safe.

If thats luck then call me Saint Patrick himself!
:lol:

Seriously though, I just went and played with the audio system. I guess the settings are ok for now.
It's something like this:
Bass _____.__[]__
Midr _____.__[]__
Treb _____._[]___
Fade _____._[]___

My fader control is adjusted to compensate for the leather interior, which, after doing much testing between my truck and my mother's truck (without leather) I have determined that the leather interior is definitely the cause of the fader seeming off, and that the cloth interior stereos are just as fsck'd up; you just don't realize it because its cloth and can actually sound louder in the front. The front just lacks some midrange because that's how GM is.

velvetelvis · Mar 17, 2004

My door pannel starting coming up on it's own... It looked like it was just held in by plastic cones that were barbed. They just pushed back into place.

Kind of like a drywall anchor

SuperH · Mar 17, 2004

Plastic cones... clips, scenario #2. Got it. Thanks.

jimz71 · Mar 18, 2004

yeah the ones that break off

kdeatrick · Mar 18, 2004

They have a cheap tool that works well. Also if they are the normal clips they are available at many parts places cheap if you break one. I normally replace them if I pull a panel off. They never hold as good the second time.

SuperH · Mar 18, 2004

I am very disappointed that GM used the plastic, cone-shaped disposable retention clips in these trucks. In the full size truck I had before, GM used a metal clip plastifused into the door panel itself through countersunk teeth.

Terex · Mar 18, 2004

Who cares? How many times do you plan on having your door panel off? Never? You guys fret about the strangest things.

SuperH · Mar 18, 2004

I actually took my 2002's door panels off regularly to examine that the grease wasn't spewed out of the power window motor so that my motors wouldn't endure any premature wear. I do that kinda stuff when I'm bored.

That's not the principle of it Terex, anyway. The principle is that it makes it more difficult for convenient servicing, and more of a hassle for service personnel. Translation: more cost to those who need to get a speaker changed.
Think about it... Best Buy says: "We have to replace your door panel clips too, those are the disposable type... $30. ($1.70 for parts, $28.30 for labor.)" The clips actually cost about $0.45/piece, but when the average driver that doesn't know anything gets their vehicle serviced, it CAN be costly because of the "strangest things" like that.

Also, its not what a lot of us are used to. Some people have a bit of a problem when GM goes back to clips they used in the 80s in their brand new truck that may as well had an MSRP of $31,210.

If I were to use the door panel tool now and remove the panel, I would most likely break/wear out a couple of the clips. It shouldn't happen. The clips should be fully reusable. I will NOT have a door panel dangling for any period of time because I changed out speakers. I don't have any more of those clips, and therefore I have to go and purchase some. I shouldn't have to buy squat because I wanted to take my door panel off.

Removing Door Panels

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