Info - Door Trim Panel Removal Procedures and Hook Repair Information

This bulletin is being issued to address the following:

1. To provide proper door trim panel removal procedures in order to avoid door trim panel retainer hook breakage. Hook-style retainers (1) are used to retain the door trim panels on the vehicles listed above. To avoid retainer hook breakage, it is important to observe the proper removal procedure. Refer to the appropriate removal procedure in this bulletin.



2. To provide door trim panel retaining hook repair information. If retainer hook breakage does occur, the hook(s) can be repaired with the Kent-Moore Kit J 42983. The kit contains hooks, adhesive, templates, carbide bits and instructions.

Tools Required

J 38778 Door Trim Pad Clip Remover For Upper Trim Panel Retainer ONLY

Removal Procedure

1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to Disabling the SIR System in the SIR sub-section of the Service Manual.

Caution: Striking the vehicle near the side air bag impact sensor can cause an air bag deployment if the ignition switch is not OFF. To help avoid personal injury and damage to the vehicle from a deployment, always turn the ignition switch to OFF during body repairs.




2. Remove the power window switch assembly (7).

2.1.	Place protective tape between the forward edge of the power window switch assembly and the door trim panel (9).

Important: In order to avoid damage, the retention spring clip must be fully disengaged prior to removal of the power window switch assembly.

2.2.	Between the forward edge of the power window switch assembly and the door trim panel (9), carefully insert a plastic trim tool far enough to depress and disengage the switch plate retention spring clip.

2.3.	Use the plastic trim tool in one hand to gently pry the forward edge of the power window switch assembly upward. Use the other hand to grasp and pull the switch assembly from the door trim panel.

2.4.	Disconnect the electrical connectors (8).

3. Remove the inside door handle trim plate/bezel (1).

3.1.	Between the top edge of the inside door handle trim plate/bezel and the door trim panel (3), carefully insert the plastic trim tool and gently pry the inside door handle trim plate/bezel outward far enough to disengage the retaining clips.

3.2.	Pull the door handle trim plate/bezel outward and slide over the handle.

3.3.	Disconnect the two electrical connectors (10).

4. Remove the outside rearview mirror upper door trim panel (shark fin) (2). Use the door trim pad clip remover, J 38778, to disengage the upper door trim panel (shark fin) retaining clip.
5. Remove the door lamp lens cover assembly (5).

5.1.	Between the forward angled edge of the door lamp lens cover and the door trim panel (6), carefully insert the plastic trim tool and gently pry the lens cover assembly outward far enough to disengage the retaining clip.

5.2.	Disconnect the electrical connector (4).




6. Remove the two door trim panel retaining fasteners (2).

•	Behind the door lamp lens cover assembly.

•	Behind the door handle trim plate/bezel.

Important: If the door trim panel hooks are damaged during removal, a hook repair kit with instructions, J 42983, is available.

7. Remove the door trim panel (1) by LIFTING upward and outward in order to disengage the panel hooks from the door.
8. Disconnect the door trim panel speaker electrical connector.

Removal Procedure

1. Remove the power window switch assembly.

1.1.	Place protective tape between the forward edge of the power window switch assembly and the door trim panel.

Important: In order to avoid damage, the retention spring clip must be fully disengaged prior to removal of the power window switch assembly.

1.2.	Between the forward edge of the power window switch assembly and the door trim panel, carefully insert a plastic trim tool far enough to depress and disengage the switch plate retention spring clip.

1.3.	Use the plastic trim tool in one hand to gently pry the forward edge of the power window switch assembly upward. Use the other hand to grasp and pull the switch assembly from the door trim panel.

1.4.	Disconnect the electrical connectors.

2. Remove the inside door handle trim plate/bezel.

2.1.	Between the top edge of the inside door handle trim plate/bezel and the door trim panel, carefully insert the plastic trim tool and gently pry the inside door handle trim plate/bezel outward far enough to disengage the retaining clips.

2.2.	Pull the door handle trim plate/bezel outward and slide over the handle.

2.3.	Disconnect the two electrical connectors.

3. Remove the door lamp lens cover assembly.

3.1.	Between the forward angled edge of the door lamp lens cover and the door trim panel, carefully insert the plastic trim tool and gently pry the lens cover assembly outward far enough to disengage the retaining clip.

3.2.	Disconnect the electrical connector.




4. Remove the two door trim panel retaining fasteners (2).

•	Behind the door lamp lens cover assembly.

•	Behind the door handle trim plate/bezel.

Important: If the door trim panel hooks are damaged during removal, a hook repair kit with instructions, J 42983, is available.

5. Remove the door trim panel (1) by LIFTING upward and outward in order to disengage the panel hooks from the door.

Tools Required

J 38778 Door Trim Pad Clip Remover For Map Pocket Retainer ONLY

Removal Procedure

1. Remove the power window switch assembly (3).

1.1.	Place protective tape between the forward edge of the power window switch assembly and the door trim panel (5).

Important: In order to avoid damage, the retention spring clip must be fully disengaged prior to removal of the power window switch assembly.

1.2.	Between the forward edge of the power window switch assembly and the door trim panel (5), carefully insert a plastic trim tool far enough to depress and disengage the switch plate retention spring clip.

1.3.	Use the plastic trim tool in one hand to gently pry the forward edge of the power window switch assembly upward. Use the other hand to grasp and pull the switch assembly from the door trim panel.

1.4.	Disconnect the electrical connectors (4).

2. Remove the inside door handle trim plate/bezel (2).

2.1.	Between the top edge of the inside door handle trim plate/bezel and the door trim panel, carefully insert the plastic trim tool and gently pry the inside door handle trim plate/bezel outward far enough to disengage the retaining clips.

2.2.	Pull the door handle trim plate/bezel outward and slide over the handle.

2.3.	Disconnect the electrical connector (1).




3. Use the door trim pad clip remover, J 38778, to disengage the upper rear corner map pocket retaining clip (3).
4. Remove the two door trim panel retaining fasteners (2).

•	Behind the upper rear corner of the map pocket.

•	Behind the door handle trim plate/bezel.

Important: If the door trim panel hooks are damaged during removal, a hook repair kit with instructions, J 42983, is available.

5. Remove the upper trim panel (shark fin) and the door trim panel (1) together by LIFTING upward and outward in order to disengage the panel hooks from the door.
6. Disconnect the door trim panel speaker electrical connector.

Tools Required

J 38778 Door Trim Pad Clip Remover For Map Pocket Retainer ONLY

Removal Procedure

1. Remove the power window switch assembly.

1.1.	Place protective tape between the forward edge of the power window switch assembly and the door trim panel.

Important: In order to avoid damage, the retention spring clip must be fully disengaged prior to removal of the power window switch assembly.

1.2.	Between the forward edge of the power window switch assembly and the door trim panel, carefully insert a plastic trim tool far enough to depress and disengage the switch plate retention spring clip.

1.3.	Use the plastic trim tool in one hand to gently pry the forward edge of the power window switch assembly upward. Use the other hand to grasp and pull the switch assembly from the door trim panel.

1.4.	Disconnect the electrical connectors.

2. Remove the inside door handle trim plate/bezel.

2.1.	Between the top edge of the inside door handle trim plate/bezel and the door trim panel, carefully insert the plastic trim tool and gently pry the inside door handle trim plate/bezel outward far enough to disengage the retaining clips.

2.2.	Pull the door handle trim plate/bezel outward and slide over the handle.

2.3.	Disconnect the two electrical connectors.

3. Use the door trim pad clip remover, J 38778, to disengage the upper rear corner map pocket retaining clip.
4. Remove the two door trim panel retaining fasteners.

•	Behind the upper rear corner of the map pocket.

•	Behind the door handle trim plate/bezel.

Important: If the door trim panel hooks are damaged during removal, a hook repair kit with instructions, J 42983, is available.

5. Remove the door trim panel by LIFTING upward and outward in order to disengage the panel hooks from the door.
6. Disconnect the door trim panel speaker electrical connector.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: