Paul's Travel Pictures

Chevrolet Equinox Door Panel Removal Guide
How to remove the front door panels of a 2nd generation 2010-2016 GM Chevy Equinox with photo illustrated steps.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-001
2012 Equinox Door Panel
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-002
Door Handle Trim Panel
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-003
Pry Out - Small Flathead
This automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016) GM Chevy Equinox in removing the interior door panels in order to upgrade the OEM speakers, add soundproofing material, replace a power window motor or fix a faulty switch.

Owners of other GM vehicles such as the Spark, Sonic, Cruze, Volt, Malibu, Impala, Camaro, Corvette, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Avalanche, Silverado, Verano, Encore, Regal, LaCrosse, Encore, Enclave, Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Savana, ATS, XTS, CTS, SRX and Escalade may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed to take off the door panel include a 7mm socket, 8mm socket, extension bar, a 1/4" drive ratchet, a small flathead screwdriver and a large flathead screwdriver or an automotive panel removal pry bar tool.

The OEM door speaker screws are 7mm and the power window motor bolts are 10mm.



 
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-004
Trim Piece Removed
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-005
Door Pull / Arm Rest Trim
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-006
Pry Out Trim Panel
In order to take off the door panel, you'll need to remove two trim panels and three screws.

The first screw is behind the door opener handle and under a rectangular cover. Pry off the trim piece with the small flathead screwdriver and set it aside in a safe place.

Remove the single screw behind the door opener handle with the 7mm socket attached to an extension bar and ratcheting wrench by turning it counter clockwise.

GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-007
Screw Cover Removed
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-008
Remove 7mm Screw
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-009
Remove Two 8mm Screws
The last two screws are located behind a rectangular trim piece just behind the door pull handle and below the arm rest.

Pry off the trim panel with the flathead screwdriver and set it aside.

Remove the two screws with the 8mm socket attached to the extension bar and ratcheting wrench by turning them counter clockwise. Set them aside with the other screw and trim pieces.

GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-010
2 Covers, 3 Screws
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-011
Pry Off Bottom of Panel
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-012
Pull Out Friction Fasteners
Move to the bottom edge of the door panel, carefully insert a small flathead screwdriver underneath it, and pull it away from the door frame.

If you have trouble pulling out the bottom of the panel, you might need to use an automotive panel removal tool.

Continue pulling the door panel away from the frame all along the bottom and two sides to disengage the friction or "pop rivet" fasteners

GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-013
Pop Rivets Removed
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-014
Lift Door Panel Off Frame
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-015
Power & Door Cable
Lift the door panel up and off the door frame. Angle the top of the door panel towards yourself and support the bottom with your thighs.
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-016
Flip Up Blue Latch
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-017
Disconnect Power Plug
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-018
Pry Up Black Plastic Clip
Flip the blue bar on the power connector plug up and towards yourself to unlock it. Pull the power connector straight out of the socket.

Pry the black plastic clip on the collar of the door opener cable and pull it off the bracket.



 

GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-019
Door Opener Cable Released
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-020
Swing Out Cable
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-021
Lift Metal Ball Out Socket
Swing the cable out towards the front of the vehicle and lift the metal ball at the end out of its socket.
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-022
Front Door Panel Removed
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-023
Metal Door Frame
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-024
OEM Door Speaker
Pull the door panel away from the door frame and set it aside in a safe place.
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-025
Remove 7mm Screws
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-026
3 - 7mm Speaker Screws
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-027
Pull Off Speaker
To take off the OEM door speaker, remove the three 7mm screws with the socket and ratcheting wrench.

Pull the speaker out of the door frame and press the release button on the power connector plug before sliding it straight out.

Check out the aftermarket speaker options at Amazon.

To help reduce road noise and make your new speakers sound better, apply some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will stop vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume.

GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-028
Power Plug Release Button
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-029
Lift Insulation - Window Motor
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-030
Re-Connect Power Plug
The power window motor is located below the rubber insulation and is held in place by three 10mm bolts.
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-031
Snap Closed Blue Latch
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-032
Insert Metal Ball In Socket
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-033
Snap Clip On Bracket
To replace the door panel, hold it near the door frame and push in the light grey power connector for the door lock and window switch.

Flip the blue latch down to lock the power plug in place.

Insert the metal ball at the end of the door opener cable in to its socket. Swing the cable towards the door panel and attach the black plastic clip to the bracket.

GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-034
Insert Door Lock Stalk
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-035
Hang Door Panel On Frame
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-036
Line Up Friction Fasteners
Lower the door panel down to the door frame while inserting the door lock stalk in to its hole.

Line up the friction fasteners on the rear of the door panel with their corresponding holes in the metal door frame.

GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-037
Push On Door Panel
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-038
Tap Edges To Secure
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-039
Tighten Two 8mm Screws
Gently push the pop rivets in place and then tap all around the edges of the panel to secure them.
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-040
Line Up Screw Cover
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-041
Snap Trim Piece In Place
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-042
Replace 7mm Screw
Tighten the two 8mm screws behind the door pull handle and pop the trim piece back in place.

Replace the single 7mm screw behind the door opener handle and snap in the plastic cover.

GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-043
Line Up Screw Cover
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-044
Snap Trim Piece In Place
GM-Chevrolet-Equinox-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-045
Door Panel Replaced
Check that the door opener handle, door lock stalk, power door lock switch, and power window switch all work properly.

For more, check out my other GM Chevrolet Equinox DIY Repair Guides.
 

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info