How to Remove Front Drivers Side Door Panel 2004-09 Subaru Outback
Created on: 2018-05-07
How to repair, install, fix, change or replace a front door panel. Door panels need to be removed to access the inside components of the door, like the window regulator or exterior door handles on 08 Subaru Outback
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step 1 :Removing the Door Panel
- Locate and remove all the plastic covers that hide screws
- Remove all the screws
- Using the trim removal piece, unclip all the plastic clips behind the door panel
- Pull out and up on the door panel to remove it
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step 2 :Disconnect Remaining Connections
- Disconnect all electrical connections
- Disconnect the two door handle and door lock cables
- Pull them out, then pull the ball at the end of thr4 cables out of their sockets
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step 3 :Reinstalling the Door Panel
- Reattach the cables
- Reattach the electrical connections
- Line up the door panel
- Push it down and then in
- Push on the door panel around each clip until they click into place
- Insert the Philips head screws back in
- Reattach all the plastic covers on the door panel
Tools needed
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Flat Blade Screwdriver
Phillips Head Screwdriver
Trim Tool Set
Hi, I’m Mike from 1A Auto. We’ve been selling auto parts for over 30 years!
We'll start by opening the door.
First we're going to take this little trim piece off. We use a flat-blade tool, carefully behind the panel. Pull it and then you can use your fingers, and pull it back. That's three little clips. Next, we're going to take this trim piece off here, with the flat-blade tool. The little area to put your screwdriver. Push down and pull it out. There's clips on the back. Next, we're going to take this trim piece off. We're going to pry it down right here with a flat-blade tool, being careful not to damage any of the surfaces. We're going to pull it out. This is difficult to come out. There is clips, retainers that hold it in.
We're going to start with a Phillips-head screwdriver. We have three screws, one there, one here, and then one up here.
Next, we're going to use a door-panel trim tool. We sell these at 1aauto.com. Go in behind, pop off the clips. Then you just lift and pull back. On the inside, we're going to pull the inner door latch and lock mechanism off. We have to pull this cover up. We have to disconnect these cables. You're going to pull out, and then you're going to pull up. A little ball will come out, and same with this one.
Next, we have to disconnect our connector for the window switches. You're going to push this little tab here, and pull it down. Then we're going to disconnect our door light. You can push down on this tab and it's going to pull right out.
Now we're going to reinstall the door panel. We're going to start where we left. We're going to reattach the door light. Push it in. We're going to reattach the connector for the window switches. Just going to push it in. That's good. We're going to reattach the lever and lock mechanism with the cables. The small cable goes on the top. Take this ball, it goes in there first like that, then you slide it over, just like that. Same with this one, ball goes in this hole and then goes through the slot, and this goes down like that. Then you slide this cover down.
Next, you want to take this. Go in from the top. Get it in up top here, there's a groove. Once that's lined up, you should be able to line the pins up, and just push just like that.
Phillips-head screws, and a Phillips-head screwdriver, start screwing in the panel. We're going to install this cover. It's going to slide in like that, and this last cover up top. Now, we're going to use our last one, put these three tabs in.
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