unpocoloco

I'm having difficulty removing the panel covering the window and lock controls (panel mentioned on page 1). It could be I'm just afraid of snapping a clip and so not pressing hard enough, but I'm not sure.

Am I doing this right:

I place my flathead screwdriver - the smallest one I have (1/16") into the space between the panel and the door handle, on the bottom side. I'm aiming right about in the center. Now I pry upwards. Or, inwards. A little of both. If I now use my other hand to pry the panel back a bit, I can get it to move, but not much. Maybe 1 cm. Now I go for the top clip. I'm not feeling anything...and the panel won't come off.

Suggestions?

Astral

Go for the bottom clip.

The top clip is not really a clip that snaps out, but instead something that slides up. So do not try to pry it up from the top!

What I usually do is place a pretty wide flathead screwdriver (wrapped in electrical tape) at the very bottom, into the space between the panel and the side of the door. Give it a good push -- you want to be pushing away from the front of the car, maybe at a slight upwards angle. This will snap out the bottom clip. Then you can lower the top of the panel and free the top.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Didnt see this in the thread, but in order to remove the actual panel around the door handle.... you should slide it towards the front of the vehicle.... then it should pull out. Just pulling on it will break a little tab. Please edit the first post to include this so future viewers will see it. Broke the one on the driver's side and I'm not too happy about it.

nuke0907

iTrader: (2)

now its time for some CF or piano black ones but yeah that sucks

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

I've thought about the piano black ones... im not paying 100 for them...cause im sure thats how much they are. Just like the $230 piano black ash tray

nuke0907

iTrader: (2)

damn OEM prices

DMRH

This is the closet thread the search function found on removing the "rear door trim"

better start to Google now...........

Pearl_8

My post in this other thread might be what you are looking for.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/suicide-door-panel-removal-135059/

Sisco360

Good DYI!

sweetfa

Thanks for this - Drivers speaker just failed grrrr - Now try and find a replacement in NZ **** !

SuperCereal90

just took off my door panel today to disconnect a broken speaker, and when trying to remove the entire panel the door handle piece was in the way but i just pulled it straight off and ended up breaking the little tab. now it doesnt sit right and it's gonna really bug me. i wish i would have read your post before i started.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Silverhorn

I've pulled off everything to the glass. I'm trying to fatmat (just like dynamat) all 4 doors. But once I took it apart, I really didn't see a good location to fatmat. Has anyone done this? If so, did you do it inside, or outside of the black liner? Pics would be very helpful. I don't want to interfere with the window operation, So i'm not sure where to place it. If I go under the liner the gaps are very big, if I go over the liner is there a point, How would I make it so the liner can still be removed, and not in the way?

If anyone has done this, please help!

Joe154

Thank you!

emerodi8

Hey all

I made a video to help with removing the front door panel. Please share if this was a bit of help. Link below

http://youtu.be/mP4Wt1YzASQ

danny.lee4465

How do I remove the rear door pannal I'm trying to swap door shells?

danny.lee4465

There's two screws from the handle amdnthe seat belt everything is poked off but looks like the Handel is holding it on some how? Please help

Silverhorn

Hey Danny,

It's been a while since I've taken off the rear door (prob 2 yrs by now . But I do remember the two screws in the handle that you mentioned. Other than those two screws I don't remember any serious fasteners. There are, just like on the front door, and series of plastic snaps. probably 6-8 of them that hold the door on fairly securely. You need to use a plastic tool, or your hands to work your way around the edge of the door to start pulling them loose. You will have to pull fairly hard, OR in the exact right area to get these to pop out (1 at a time). Just make sure that there is some 'give' around the door handle, and that will indicate that you have removed all the 'permanent' fasteners (screws, bolts, ect.).

Now that I say that, I seem to remember that there is a bolt or two in the handle. Just to clarify this statement so we are talking about the same handle. The door handle (with the latch), and the 'OSH*T' handle probably each have screws. 3-4 total. So in summary, check BOTH handles for screws before you start working on the plastic clips.

Silverhorn

I'm not going to give you any sh*t cause you are new. But try looking around the site some before you get too worked up, these cars have been out for more than a decade now, so you are probably not going to be the first to encounter an issue.

Here is what you are looking for:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-int...r-panel-73480/

Above is the link to the thread that talks about removing the suicide doors. Like I speculated in the previous post, there are 3 screws. One in the handle with the latch, and two in the actual door handle (reference the picture from that thread). Once that is done you should be down to just the plastic fasteners.

Darkning

Old post but just wanted to thumbs up the thread. There are a couple additional clips not mentioned in the original picture around the perimeter, and even using a pry tool some of my clips were just too old or brittle and broke anyways.

I needed to replace the driver window motor(3 bolts in the middle of the door as soon as you get the panel off and that's it). Job took about 30-45 minutes.

Thanks again!