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Honda CR-V Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the interior door panels of a 3rd generation 2007-2011 Honda CR-V to upgrade the OEM speakers.

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2011 CR-V Door Panel
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Door Opener Handle
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Pry Out Trim Plastic Piece
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011) Honda CR-V in removing the plastic interior door panels in order to upgrade the OEM speakers, add soundproofing material, fix a faulty electrical switch or replace the power window motor.

Owners of other Honda or Acura vehicles such as the Pilot, Insight, CR-Z, Accord, Civic, Fit, Crosstour, Odyssey, Ridgeline, TSX, ILX, TLX, TL, RLX, RDX and MDX may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed to take off the door panel include a small flathead screwdriver, a Phillips head screwdriver and an automotive panel removal tool or a large flathead screwdriver.

The OEM door speaker is held in place by one Phillips head screw.



 
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Trim Panel Removed
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Armrest Well Trim Piece
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Screw Cover Removed
The first step is to carefully pry out the plastic trim piece behind the door opener handle with the small flathead screwdriver.

There is a small release tab at the top of the trim panel that you'll need to push down with the screwdriver before prying it out.

Then pry out the rectangular plastic screw cover at the bottom of the door pull well in the center of the arm rest.

Set the two trim pieces aside in a safe place.

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Pry Open Screw Cover
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Lower Cover Opened
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Pry Open Upper Cover
Move to the bottom of the door pull handle and pry open the rectangular screw cover with the small flathead screwdriver.

It is hinged on the outer edge and should remain attached to the door panel.

Move to the top of the door pull handle and pry open the upper screw cover with the small flathead screwdriver.

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Upper Cover Opened
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Pry Off Sail Panel
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Sail Panel Removed
Move to the top of the door panel and gently pry off the triangular sail panel with the small flathead screwdriver.

It is held in place by two friction fasteners.

Set the sail panel aside in a safe place.

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Remove Phillips Screws
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Door Handle Screws
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Remove Armrest Screw
Remove the two screws behind the door opener handle by turning them counterclockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Remove the single screw in the door pull well at the center of the armrest by turning it counterclockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Set the three screws aside with the two plastic trim pieces.

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Remove Upper Screw
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Big Door Pull Handle Screw
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Remove Lower Screw
Remove the upper and lower screws in the door pull handle by turning them counterclockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Make a mental note of how the larger screw is at the top of the handle and the lower screw goes in the bottom of the handle.

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Smaller Phillips Screw
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5 Screws & 3 Panels
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Pull Out Pop Rivets
Set the two door pull handle screws aside with the other parts.

You should now have removed 5 Phillips head screws and 3 plastic panels.

Insert a plastic automotive panel pry bar tool or a large flathead screwdriver in between the bottom edge of the door panel and the metal door frame.

Firmly pull out the bottom of the door panel to disengage the plastic pop rivet friction fasteners.

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Friction Fasteners Removed
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Lift Panel Off Door Frame
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Door Handle & Lock Cables
Continue gently pulling out the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel.

Lift the plastic panel off the metal door frame.

Tilt the top of the door panel towards yourself and support the bottom with your thighs.

There are two different methods for disconnecting the door opener handle and door lock switch cables.

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Gently Pull Off Bracket
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Assembly Disconnected
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3 Friction Fastener Clips
The first and possibly easier method is to pull off the entire door opener handle and door lock switch assembly from the rear of the door panel.

The assembly is held in place to the rear of the door panel by three metal clips on the panel that act as friction fasteners inside slots on the handle/lock assembly.

If you have trouble pulling off the door opener handle / lock switch assembly, try gently wiggling it while pulling or carefully pry with a small flathead screwdriver.

If it still won't pop off, continue with the second method below.

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Alternative Method
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Pry Open "C" Collars
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Pull Out Plastic Ends
If you already disconnected the door opener handle and door lock switch assembly, skip down to the electrical connector removal pictures down below.

To release the cables from the rear of the assembly, first pry open the white and black plastic "C" collars from the plastic end pieces.

Pull the plastic pieces near the ends of the cables out of the metal bracket.

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Open Plastic Clamp
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Remove Metal Bar
Then pry open the white plastic clamp and pull out the ridged metal bar at the end of the door lock switch cable.



 

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Door Opener Handle Cable
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Open Plastic "C" Collar
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Lift Out Metal Bar
Pry open the blue plastic "C" collar at the end of the door opener handle cable and lift the metal bar out of its socket.
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Switch Panel Power Plug
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Release Button On Plug
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Plastic Door Panel Removed
Press the release button on the white plastic electrical connector for the switch panel and pull it straight out of its socket.

Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place.

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Metal Door Frame
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Remove Phillips Screw
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Pry Off OEM Speaker
The OEM door speaker is held in place by a single Phillips head screw.

Remove the screw by turning it counterclockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Then loosen the slightly adhesive foam on the rear of the speaker with an automotive pry tool or a small flathead screwdriver.

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OEM Speaker Removed
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Squeeze Release Tabs
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Unplug Electrical Connector
Pull the OEM speaker out of the door panel and pinch together the two release tabs on the power plug before sliding it straight out of its socket.

The front and rear doors of a 3rd generation Honda CR-V can accommodate 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 buying new speakers from Crutchfield since they usually include any necessary wiring harnesses, electrical connector adaptors and/or mounting brackets.

If you'd like to reduce road noise and allow your new speakers to sound their best, apply Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will help stop the vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume.

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Hold Panel Near Frame
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Switch Panel Electrical Socket
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Push In Power Plug
To replace the plastic door panel, hold it near the door frame and tilt the top towards yourself while supporting the bottom with your legs.

Push the white plastic electrical connector straight in to the socket.

Below are the two methods for re-connecting the door opener handle and door lock switch cables.

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Re-Insert Metal Bar
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Snap On "C" Collar
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Push Plastic Piece In Bracket
Re-insert the "L" shaped metal bar at the end of the door opener handle cable in to the socket and snap the blue plastic "C" collar back in place.
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Push On Plastic Collar
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Re-Insert Straight Metal Bar
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Close Plastic Clamp
Push the plastic piece near the end of the cable back in to the metal bracket and snap the black plastic collar over it.

Re-insert the ridged metal bar at the end of the door lock switch cable in to the white plastic clamp and close it.

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Snap Closed With Pliers
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Insert Plastic End In Bracket
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Push On Plastic "C" Collar
Push the clamp closed with your fingers or use a pair of needle nose pliers to snap it shut.

Re-insert the plastic piece near the end of the cable in to the metal bracket and push the plastic "C" collar over it.

If you removed the entire door opener handle / lock switch assembly, follow the steps below to re-attach it to the door panel.

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Or Alternative Method
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Line Up Friction Fasteners
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Push Assembly Back In Place
Line up the metal clips on the rear of the door panel with the slots in the door opener handle / lock switch assembly and gently push it back in place.
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Hang Door Panel On Frame
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Line Up Pop Rivet Fasteners
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Tap In Friction Fasteners
Lower the plastic door panel on to the lip at the top of the metal door frame.

Line up the white plastic pop rivet friction fasteners on the back of the panel with their corresponding holes in the metal door frame.

Firmly tap in the pop rivets all along the bottom and both sides of the door panel.

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Replace Smaller Lower Screw
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Tighten Clockwise Direction
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Upper Door Pull Handle Screw
Replace the smaller screw at the bottom of the door pull handle by turning it clockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Insert the larger Phillips head screw in to the top of the door pull handle and tighten it in the clockwise direction.

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Tighten Upper Phillips Screw
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Close Screw Cover
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Upper Screw Cover Closed
Push the upper door pull handle screw cover closed.
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Close Lower Screw Cover
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Lower Screw Cover Closed
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Replace Arm Rest Screw
Push the lower door pull handle screw cover closed.

Replace the screw at the bottom of the armrest well by turning it clockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

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Replace Two Handle Screws
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Tighten Clockwise
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Pop In Trim Piece
Tighten the two screws behind the door opener handle in the clockwise direction with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Push the plastic trim piece back in to place behind the door opener handle.

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Re-Insert Screw Cover
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Push On Sail Panel
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Door Panel Re-Installed
Push the plastic screw cover back in to place at the bottom of the door pull well in the center of the armrest.

Line up the two friction fasteners on the rear of the sail panel and push it back in to place.

Sit inside the vehicle, close the door and check that the power window switch, door opener handle and door lock switch all still work properly.

For more, check out my other Honda CR-V Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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