How To Remove 4th Gen Door Panels - Quick Guide

[Chickan]

How to remove your door panels - A quick reference

I searched around for a bit today, and was unable to locate a guide detailing how to remove 4th gen door panels (most likely similar for other years). This is useful when installing new speakers, fixing window switches, installing car alarms, etc.

This was done on my 95 GXE (5speed Cali if you really want to know) on 3/21/04 while it was snowing outside (Ohio weather is crazy).

First off, locate small tray pictured here:


Pop off that screw cover, then take the screw out.
You can take out the whole tray if you need to (useful for keeping track of screws), though not nessesary.

Next locate the two screws on the bottom of the door panel pictured here:



Take both of those off as well.
Locate your door light, pictured here:


There is a small conector that attaches to it, and I popped off the plastic cover (take a small flat head to either left or right side of it), and removed the two screws holding it in place. This allowed me to pull it out, giving easy access to the attached connector. Alternatively, you can probably reach your hand under the door after you have completed the next step.

Next, apply pressure all along the door panel, start at the bottom, then do the sides. There are several pop-screws that will pop out with a bit of force. Also, having the window down helps a bit with removing the whole door panel.

The last thing to remove is the doorlock/window switch connector, which can be a little stubborn, be gentle so as to not break it.
Removing this black piece may also be of some use in particular projects, it easiy pops out with a flathead, shown here:


To reinstall, just reverse the steps. Pop the black panel back in place (if you removed it). Reattach both connectors. Align the door panel on the window lip, then pop the tabs back into place. Attach the bottom two screws, then attact the center screw & tray, replace screw cover, and you are done!

[Ceasars Chariot]

good job !

[endus]

Nice, but I think you forgot the hardest part...taking the door handle cups out. Can you get the door panel off without taking them out?

[clee130]

Ummmm ... http://www.maxima.org/shoptalk/sub_m...t2/index.shtml

[meegosh]

pics aren't broken... well sorta, they're still there, just right click and goto properties and go right to pic... they just don't allow linking from other sites.. awesome tutorial thanks a million!

[BLaKtOut]

anyone know where to pic up the I30 door handles ive been looking on ebay and can only find the J30 seller says they will fit on maxima no problem but iwant the I30 any suggestions

[Ceasars Chariot]

edit: webpage is changed will just toss this photo up for this thread to add more info, basically every arrow points to what needs to be taken out.



1. pop out, use a cloth and flathead screw driver, do it enough and you will find the sweet spot that pops it out easier.

2. pop out electric window thingy, same thing cloth and flathead screw driver, will need to disconnect motor from wiring harness.

3. flat head screw driver will pop out the tab , use phillips head to take out screw

4. (2) phillips head screws here,

5. pop out the around the edges of the door panel and then life the door panel up and off.

[9maxima5]

Ceasar great page. Very helpful

[Maxima Dionysis]

<-- Noob. I've got a tall order. Recently an uninsured motorist hit me on my drivers side seriously damaging my front and rear exterior side panels. I bought this car just weeks ago and my insurance hasn't come through yet, so I'm on my own in bringing her back to her beautiful self. Does anyone know somebody who could hook me up with a guide to removing the panels, possibly taking off the door, and banging out as much of this damage as possible? I'd start a thread, (not in here) but I don't have enough posts yet.
Any help would be much appreciated.

[bmr12]

Some helpful hints for those who, like me, may try to do things in a different order or struggle to get it off. I did 4, 5, and then 3 of Caesar's post above. Then I removed and unscrewed the courtesy light in the door, a necessary step to get enough room to maneuver.

At that point, I could then lay on the ground and peer up and see how to get the door release thingy to pop out. It was much easier and less prone to damage to release it from the inside of the door.

Since I was doing the driver's side door, I also had the trunk popper button in the arm rest to deal with. I skipped #2 and instead just removed the wiring harnass from the back side of the trunk popper button. It was possible to leave the window controls connected and move the panel out of the way for what I needed to get at, but it could also be disconnected if necessary.

[Dan_E_Boi84]

Door panels are simple just be carefull about the door handle trim because you can easily dent the panel...I did...DAMNIT