Hyundai Santa
Fe Front Door Panel Removal Guide
How to remove and re-install the front door panels
in a 2007-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe with picture illustrated instructions.
 Front Door Interior Panel |
 Flip Open Screw Cover |
 Screw Below Door Handle |
| This
automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners
of the 2nd generation 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV in removing
the interior panels on the front doors in order to replace the
speakers, replace the power window motor or add soundproofing
material. Owners of other Hyundai or Kia vehicles such as the Tucson, Veracruz, Accent, Elantra, Veloster, Sonata, Azera, Genesis, Equus, Forte, Optima, Sorento, Rio, Soul, Sportage and Sedona may also find this guide to be helpful. The only tools needed for this procedure are a small flathead screwdriver and a standard sized Phillips head screwdriver.You may also need a set of automotive panel pry bar tools. Begin by opening one of the front doors and prying off the small plastic cover just below the door handle knob that hides a single Phillips head screwdriver. |
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 Remove Door Handle Screw |
 Remove Screw Cover |
 Screw Below Tweeter |
| Remove the single
screw below the door handle with a Phillips head screwdriver.
Then move to just below the tweeter speaker housing and pry off the round screw cover. Remove the Phillips head screw below the cover. |
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 Lower Panel Screw |
 Removing Phillips Head |
 Pop Out Screw Cover |
| Move to the lower part of the panel near the door hinge and remove the exposed Phillips head screw. | ||
 Screw Below Armrest |
 Remove Arm Rest Screw |
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| The final screw is
located behind a round cover just below the armrest.
Pop out the screw cover with a small flathead screwdriver and remove the screw with the Phillips head screwdriver. |
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 Remove Door Handle Tray |
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 Gently Pull On Panel |
| Remove the plastic
tray behind the door handle. I later realized that it would have been easier
to remove the door panel if I had popped off the tweeter speaker housing
first.
Pry up one edge of the tweeter housing with a small flathead screwdriver and gently pull on the housing until the plastic friction fasteners give way. Use the lip of the storage bin at the bottom of the door panel to gently pull the panel until it separates from the door frame. You might need to use an automotive panel pry bar tool. The panel is held to the door frame by several blue plastic friction fasteners. Don't worry if one or two of them suffer minor damage when removing the panel. The panel will still hold securely in place when re-installed later. |
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 Disconnect Courtesy Light |
 Power Window/Locks Wires |
 Disconnect Switch Connector |
| Once the panel is
loose, gently lift the bottom edge away from the door frame and disconnect
the courtesy light's power connector.
The last thing holding the panel to the door frame is the power connector for the power window switch and the power door locks. Depress the tab on the white plastic power connector while wiggling it out of the socket on the door panel. |
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 OEM Stock Speaker 6.5" |
 Power Window Motor |
 Front Door Panel Removed |
| To remove the stock
OEM 6.5" (6 1/2") speaker, carefully drill out the rivets located around the
edge of the speaker.
I recommend buying new aftermarket speakers at Amazon since you can verify what speakers will fit your car. The power window motor is held in place by three Torx screws. To help reduce road noise and make your new speakers sound their best, apply Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will stop any vibrations or rattles when you crank up the volume. |
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 Reconnect Door Switches |
 Front Door Tweeter Removed |
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| To re-install the door panel, first re-connect the power connector for the window and locks. | ||
 Lower Panel On Door |
 Courtesy Light Connector |
 Courtesy Light Re-Attached |
| Then gently lower
the door panel down onto to the door frame while angling the bottom part out
a bit.
Plug the power connector for the courtesy light back into place. |
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 Blue Plastic Fasteners |
 Line Up Fasteners & Holes |
 Push Panel In Place |
| Line up the blue
plastic friction fasteners on the rear of the door panel with the holes in
the door frame.
Gently push on the outside of the door panel until the fasteners are securely in place. Check that the door panel rests flush against the door frame. |
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 Pop In Panel Fasteners |
 Line Up Tweeter Fasteners |
 Push Tweeter Back On |
| Line up the friction fasteners on the back of the tweeter housing with the holes on the door frame and push it back into place. | ||
 Replace Door Handle Tray |
 Replace Door Handle Screw |
 Snap On Screw Cover |
| Pull the door
handle out and slip the door handle tray back into place.
Replace the Phillips head screw and snap the cover back into place. |
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 Replace Armrest Screw |
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 Replace Armrest Screw Cover |
| Replace the screw below the armrest and replace the plastic cover. | ||
 Lower Door Panel Screw |
 Replace Screw Below Tweeter |
 Replace Screw Cover |
| Replace the screw
on the lower part of the panel near the door hinge and replace the screw
below the tweeter housing along with the screw cover. For more,
visit my
Hyundai Santa Fe SUV
Repair & Maintenance Guides page. |
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