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Buick LaCrosse Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door panels in a 2nd generation 2010-2016 Buick LaCrosse to upgrade the speakers.

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2016 LaCrosse Door Panel
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Pry Out Plastic Trim Piece
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Trim Piece Removed
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016) GM Buick LaCrosse sedan in taking off 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 General Motors vehicles such as the Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo, Malibu, Spark, Sonic, Cruze, Volt, SS, Camaro, Caprice, Corvette, Trax, Equinox, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado, Buick Verano, Regal, Cascada, Encore, Enclave, Envision, GMC Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Savana, Cadillac CT6, ATS-V, ATS, ELR, CTS, XTS, XT5, SRX, Escalade and Holden Commodore may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed to complete this procedure include a small flathead screwdriver, a 7mm socket, a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench, a Torx T20 star bit screwdriver and either a large flathead screwdriver or a plastic automotive panel pry bar tool.


 
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Pry Out Armrest Well Cover
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Rubber Cover Removed
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Loosen Counterclockwise
The first two steps are to open the door and lower the power window all the way down.

Then gently pry out the plastic trim piece located behind the chrome silver door opener handle with a small flathead screwdriver or a pry bar tool.

Set the plastic trim piece aside in a safe place.

Next, pry out the rubber cover at the bottom of the door pull well in the armrest.

Remove the screw behind the door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise with a 7mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench.

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7mm Screw Removed
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Remove Armrest Screw
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Torx T-20 Screw Removed
Set the 7mm screw aside with its trim piece cover.

Move to the armrest and remove the single screw at the bottom of the door pull well by turning it counterclockwise with the Torx T20 star bit screwdriver.

Set the T20 screw aside with the rubber cover.

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Two Bottom Edge Screws
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Loosen Counterclockwise
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Two Bottom 7mm Screws
Then move to the bottom edge of the door panel and remove the two screws by turning them counterclockwise with the 7mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench.
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2 Panels & 4 Screws
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Pry Out Bottom Edge
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Disengage Pop Rivets
At this point, you should have removed two screw covers (one plastic, one rubber) and four 7mm screws.

Insert a plastic automotive panel removal 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 edge of the door panel to disengage the plastic pop rivets.

Continue pulling out the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel.

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Pull Door Panel Off Frame
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Tilt Away Top Edge
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Pull Off Orange Plastic Clip
Lift the plastic door panel up and off the top lip of the metal door frame.

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

Gently pull the orange plastic retaining clip for the door opener handle cable from the black plastic bracket.

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Swing Cable Out
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Lift Out Metal Ball
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Press Release Tab
Swing the cable out away from the door panel and lift the metal ball at the end of the cable out of its socket.

Push in the tabs on the two black plastic electrical connectors for the switch panel before sliding the power plugs straight out of the sockets.

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Disconnect Power Plugs
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Grey Plastic Power Plug
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Slide Out Red Lock Tab
Then slide out the red locking tab on the gray plastic electrical connector.

Push down the release tab before sliding the gray power plug straight out of its socket.



 

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Push Button - Disconnect
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Door Panel Removed
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Metal Door Frame
Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place.

The OEM speaker is located at the bottom inner corner of the metal door frame.

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Remove 7mm Speaker Screw
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Hold Panel Near Door Frame
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Push In Grey Connector
Remove the single 7mm screw that holds the OEM door speaker in place by turning it counterclockwise.

I recommend buying new speakers from Amazon since you can verify which speakers will fit your vehicle and also whether or not you will need an adapter mounting bracket.

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

To replace the plastic door panel, hold it near the metal door frame and tilt the top edge towards yourself.

Push in the grey plastic electrical connector straight in to its socket.

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Slide In Red Locking Tab
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Push In Two Black Plugs
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Switch Panel Connectors
Slide the red lock tab in to secure the grey plastic power plug.

Push in the two black plastic power plugs for the switch panel straight in to their sockets until you feel or hear them "click" securely in to place.

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Re-Insert Metal Ball In Socket
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Pop On Orange Bracket
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Re-Insert Door Lock Stalk
Lower the metal ball at the end of the door opener handle cable in to it socket.

Swing the cable towards the door panel and pop the orange clip on to the black plastic mounting bracket.

Double check that the door opener handle cable is securely attached and test its function by pulling the handle.

Re-insert the door lock stalk in to its hole at the top outer corner of the door panel.

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Metal Clips - Top Edge
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Lower Door Panel On Frame
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Line Up Pop Rivets
Line up the top edge of the door panel with the metal retaining clips on the upper lip of the metal door frame.

Lower the door panel down in to place over the top edge of the metal door frame.

Line up the plastic pop rivets on the back side of the door panel with their corresponding holes in the metal door frame.

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Firmly Tap In Fasteners
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Replace Lower Screws
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Tighten 7mm Clockwise
Firmly tap in the pop rivet friction fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel.

Re-insert the two 7mm screws in to the bottom edge of the door panel and tighten them in the clockwise direction.

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Replace Door Handle Screw
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Pop In Plastic Trim Piece
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Trim Piece Replaced
Replace the 7mm screw behind the door opener handle by turning it clockwise until it is snug.

Gently pop in the plastic trim cover behind the door opener handle.

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Replace Torx T20 Screw
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Replace Rubber Cover
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Door Panel Replaced
Replace the Torx T20 screw in to the well in the armrest by turning it clockwise.

Lower the rubber cover down in to the door pull well in the center of the armrest.

Sit inside the car, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, door lock stalk, power window switch and power door lock switch still all work properly.

For more, check out my other 2010-2016 Buick LaCrosse DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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