Fiat 500
Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the interior door panels
in a 2008 to 2015 Fiat 500 to upgrade the speakers with photo illustrated steps.
2015 Fiat 500 Door Panel |
Door Pull Well In Armrest |
Pry Out Screw Cover |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the "new" Type 312 (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013,
2014 and 2015) Fiat 500 supermini compact car in taking off the
plastic interior door panels in order to fix a faulty electrical
switch, add soundproofing material, replace a broken power window
motor or upgrade the OEM door speakers. Owners of other Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM vehicles such as the 4C, Giulia, 200, 300, Town & Country, Challenger, Charger, Dart, Durango, Journey, Grand Caravan, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Renegade, Cherokee, Patriot, 1500, C/V Tradesman and ProMaster may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools needed to complete this procedure include a small flathead screwdriver, a 5mm hex head socket or a 5mm Allen key wrench, a Phillips head screwdriver and a large flathead screwdriver or an automotive panel removal tool. |
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Screw Cover Removed |
Pry Off Door Handle Bezel |
Gently Pry At Rear Edge |
The first steps are
to lower the power window all the way down and then open the door. Gently pry out the plastic trim piece on the door pull well at the center of the armrest by using a small flathead screwdriver. You made need to pry at one more than one location along the screw cover to release it from the door pull well. Set the cover aside in a safe place. Then very gently loosen the chrome plastic bezel surrounding the door opener handle. I'd recommend slowly prying all around the bezel at several locations before pulling it off. |
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Trim Piece Removed |
Small Plastic Clips |
Tabs & Slots |
Set the bezel piece aside in a safe place. | ||
Outer Edge - Screw Cover |
Pry Out Lower Screw Cover |
Two Plastic Caps Removed |
Move to the outer
edge of the door panel and locate the two round plastic screw covers. Pry out the screw covers with a small flathead screwdriver. Set the two screw caps aside in a safe place. |
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Outer Edge Phillips Screw |
5mm Allen Wrench |
Loosen Counterclockwise |
Remove the bolt behind the door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise with a 5mm Allen wrench or a 5mm hex head socket. | ||
5mm Hex Head Removed |
Remove Armrest Screws |
Remove 2nd 5mm Screw |
Set the bolt aside
on or next to the bezel piece. Remove the two bolts in the arm rest door pull well by turning them counterclockwise with the 5mm Allen key wrench. Set the two armrest bolts aside with the rectangular plastic trim piece. |
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Loosen Counterclockwise |
Outer Edge Screws |
3 Bolts & 2 Screws |
Move to the outer
edge of the door panel and remove the two screws by turning them
counterclockwise with a Phillips head screwdriver. Set the two Phillips head screws aside with their corresponding plastic caps. |
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Pry Out Bottom Edge |
Pop Rivets Released |
Plastic Friction Fasteners |
Insert a large
flathead screwdriver or an automotive panel removal tool in between the
bottom edge of the door panel and the metal door frame. Firmly pull out the bottom edge of the door panel to release the plastic pop rivet friction fasteners. Continue pulling out the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. |
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Door Opener Handle Cable |
Pop Out Black Plastic Piece |
Push Off Green Plastic "C" |
Locate the door
opener handle cable on the back side of the door panel. Pop the black plastic collar near the end of the cable out of its bracket. Pull the green plastic "C" shaped retaining clip off the metal bar at the end of the cable. Lift the metal bar at the end of the cable out of its socket. |
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Door Panel Removed |
Metal Door Frame |
Ripped Foam Sheet |
Set the plastic
door panel aside in a safe place. The OEM door speaker is located at the bottom inner corner of the door frame. In order to remove the OEM speaker, you'll need to drill out the metal rivets. |
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OEM Door Speaker - Rivets |
Hold Panel Near Frame |
Re-Insert Metal Bar |
The OEM front door
speakers can be replaced with aftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 5
1/4" (5.25"), 6 1/2" (6.5") and 6 3/4" (6.75"). I'd recommend purchasing new speakers from Crutchfield since they usually include any necessary wiring harnesses, power plug adapters or mounting brackets. If you'd like to reduce road noise and make your new speakers sound better, apply some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will help stop vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume. To replace the door panel, hold it near the metal door frame. |
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Push On Green "C" Clip |
Push In Black Plastic Collar |
Black Collar In Bracket |
Lower the metal bar
at the end of the door opener handle cable in to its socket. Snap the green plastic retaining clip over the metal bar. Push the black plastic collar in to its socket. |
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Lower Panel On Frame |
Line Up Yellow Pop Rivets |
Firmly Tap In Fasteners |
Lower the door
panel on to the top lip of the door frame. Line up the yellow plastic pop rivets behind 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 door panel. |
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Re-Insert 5mm Bolts |
Tighten Allen Clockwise |
Replace Armrest Screw |
Re-insert the two
armrest bolts and tighten them in the clockwise direction with the
5mm hex head socket or a 5mm
Allen key wrench until they are snug. Replace the bolt behind the door opener handle and tighten it in the clockwise direction with the 5mm Allen key wrench. |
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Tighten 5mm Clockwise |
Replace Outer Edge Screws |
Phillips Head Screws |
Replace the two Phillips head screws on the outer edge of the door panel by tightening them in the clockwise direction. | ||
Pop In Screw Covers |
Replace Lower Screw Cap |
Push In Armrest Cover |
Pop in the two
round plastic screw covers. Push in the rectangular trim panel over the armrest bolts. |
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Replace Door Handle Bezel |
Bezel Trim Piece Replaced |
Door Panel Replaced |
Carefully push the
chrome plastic bezel back in to place over the door opener handle. Sit inside the car, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, power window switch, power door lock switch and speaker are still working properly. For more,
check out my other
2008-2015 Fiat 500 DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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