Hyundai
Tucson Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door
panels in a 3rd generation 2016, 2017 and 2018 Hyundai Tucson SUV.
2018 Tucson Door Panel |
Sail Panel - Top Inner Corner |
Pull Off Sail Panel |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the third generation (2016, 2017, 2018 plus the refreshed
2019 and 2020 model years) Hyundai Tucson SUV in removing the
plastic interior door panels in order to upgrade the OEM speakers,
add soundproofing material, fix a faulty electrical switch or
replace a broken power window motor. Owners of other Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles such as the Santa Fe, Kona, Elantra, Sonata, Accent, Veloster, Ioniq, Nexo, G80, G90, Stinger, Rio, Forte, Optima, Cadenza, K900, Soul, Niro, Sportage, Sorento and Sedona may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools needed to remove the door panel include a small flathead screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool and a Phillips head screwdriver. To replace the OEM door speakers, you'll need a Phillips head screwdriver. |
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Door Pull Handle |
Pry Open Screw Cover |
Armrest Screw Exposed |
The first two steps
are to lower the power window all the way down and then fully open the door. Move to the top inner corner of the door panel and pry off the triangular shaped sail panel with the plastic pry bar tool. Set the sail panel aside in a safe place. On some Hyundai or Kia models, the sail panel contains the tweeter speaker with a electrical connector that will need to be disconnected. Then use a small flathead screwdriver to gently pry open the screw cover in the bottom of the door pull handle well in the center of the armrest. Pry open the front edge since the screw cover is hinged at the rear edge. |
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Loosen Counterclockwise |
Armrest Screw Removed |
One Screw & Sail Panel |
Loosen the screw at
the bottom of the door pull handle by turning it in the counterclockwise
direction with a Phillips head screwdriver. Set the Phillips head screw aside in a safe place. |
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Pull Out Bottom Edge |
Pop Rivets Released |
Lift Panel Off Door Frame |
Insert the plastic
pry bar tool or a large flathead screwdriver in between the bottom edge of
the plastic door panel and the metal door frame. Firmly pull out the bottom edge of the door panel to release the pop rivet friction fasteners. Continue pulling out the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. Once all the pop rivets have been released, carefully lift the plastic door panel up and off the metal lip at the top of the door frame. |
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Tilt Away Top Edge |
Disconnect Power Plug |
Unplug Switch Panel |
Tilt the top edge
of the plastic door panel towards yourself and support the bottom edge with
your legs. Push in the release tab on the small white plastic electrical connector for the power door lock before pulling it straight out of the socket. Then push in the release button for the larger white plastic switch panel electrical connector before pulling it straight out of its socket. |
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Electrical Connector Removed |
Opener Handle & Lock Cables |
Push In Release Tab |
Next, locate the
black plastic bracket for the door opener handle and door lock rocker switch
cables. Push in the release tab on the rear edge of the bracket. |
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Lift Up Rear Edge |
Cables Bracket Removed |
Metal Door Frame |
Lift up the rear
edge of the bracket and remove it from the back side of the door panel. Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place. |
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Remove Stuck Pop Rivet |
Re-Attach To Door Panel |
Plastic Door Panel Removed |
Check the metal
door frame to see if any of the blue or white plastic pop rivets have
remained attached to the metal door frame. Pry out any stuck pop rivets and re-attach them to the plastic door panel. |
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OEM Door Speaker |
Disconnect Power Plug |
Remove Phillips Screws |
The OEM door
speaker is located near the front lower corner of the door frame. Push in the release tab on the speaker's electrical connector before sliding it straight out of its socket. To remove the OEM door speaker, loosen the four Phillips head screws in the counterclockwise direction. The OEM front door speakers can be replaced with aftermarket car speakers in the following sizes: 6 1/2" (6.5") and 6 3/4" (6.75"). I highly recommend applying some Dynamat sound deadener to the metal door frame and the plastic door panel to help prevent any rattles or vibrations when you really crank up the volume. |
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Hold Panel Near Frame |
Lower In Front of Bracket |
Lower Rear of Bracket |
To replace the
plastic door panel, hold it near the metal door frame and tilt the top edge
towards yourself. Lower the front edge of the bracket for the door opener handle and door lock rocker switch cables into the mount. Push down the rear edge of the bracket until it clicks securely into place. |
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Push To Secure Clip |
Push In Switch Panel Plug |
Door Lock Switch Plug |
Push the electrical connectors for the switch panel and the power door lock rocker switch back into their sockets. | ||
Lower Panel On Frame |
Line Up Pop Rivets |
Firmly Tap In Pop Rivets |
Lower the top edge
of the plastic door panel on to the upper lip of the metal door frame. Line up the pop rivets on the rear of the door panel with their corresponding holes in the metal door frame. Firmly tap in the pop rivet friction fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides of the plastic door panel. |
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Silver Metal Screw |
Tighten Armrest Screw |
Pop In Screw Cover |
Replace the silver
metal screw into the door pull handle well in the center of the armrest. Tighten it in the clockwise direction with a Phillips head screwdriver. Gently snap the plastic screw cover down into place. |
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Line Up Sail Panel |
Push On Sail Panel |
Door Panel Replaced |
Line up the sail
panel with the top inner corner of the door frame. Push the sail panel back into place to secure the friction fasteners. Sit inside the SUV, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, door lock rocker switch, power window switch, power door lock switch and the door speaker are all working properly. Be sure to record the speaker upgrade in your vehicle's service records. For more,
check out all of my
2016-2018 Hyundai Tucson DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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