Dodge Dart
Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door
panels in a 2013 to 2016 Dodge Dart sedan to upgrade the OEM speakers.
2013 Dart Door Panel |
Pry Out Trim Piece |
Door Handle Trim Cover |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Dodge Dart in taking off the
plastic interior door panels in order to add soundproofing material,
fix a faulty electrical switch, replace a broken power window motor
or upgrade the OEM door speakers. Owners of other Chrysler, Dodge and RAM vehicles such as the Town & Country, 300, 200, Avenger, Charger, Journey, Challenger, Durango, Grand Caravan, and Ram C/V Tradesman minivan may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools needed to remove the door panel include a small flathead screwdriver, a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench, a Phillips head screwdriver, a Torx T-25 star bit screwdriver and a large flathead screwdriver or an automotive panel removal tool. The OEM door speaker is held in place by four Torx T25 screws. |
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Pry Out Rubber Cover |
Door Pull Well Screw |
Pry Off Sail Panel |
The first two steps
are to lower the power window all the way down and open the door. Gently pry out the plastic trim piece located behind the door opener handle with a small flathead screwdriver. Set the plastic trim piece aside in a safe place. Then gently pry out the rubber cover at the bottom of the door pull well in the armrest with the small flathead screwdriver. Set the rubber cover aside with the other trim piece. |
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Sail Panel Removed |
Loosen 10mm Bolt |
Remove Phillips Head Screw |
Move to the top
inner corner of the door panel and gently pry off the plastic sail panel
with a flathead screwdriver. On some Dart trim levels the sail panel may contain a tweeter speaker that needs to be disconnected. Remove the bolt behind the door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. Remove the screw located just next to the bolt by turning it counterclockwise with a Phillips head screwdriver. Set the bolt and the screw aside in a safe place. |
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Phillips Head Screw Removed |
Remove Armrest Screw |
Torx T25 Screw Removed |
Then remove the
screw at the bottom of the door pull well in the armrest by turning it
counterclockwise with a Torx T-25 star bit screwdriver. Set the Torx T25 screw aside with the other fasteners. |
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3 Panels, 2 Screws & 1 Bolt |
Insert Large Flathead Screwdriver |
Pop Rivets Removed |
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 with a large flathead screwdriver or an automotive panel pry bar tool to disengage the plastic pop rivets. Continue pulling out the pop rivet friction fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. |
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Lift Door Panel Off Frame |
Tilt Away Top Edge |
Door Handle Bracket |
Lift the door panel
up and off the upper lip of the metal door frame. Tilt the top edge of the door panel towards yourself and support the bottom edge with your legs. Gently pop the door opener handle cable bracket away from the back side of the door panel. |
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Electrical Connector |
Disconnect Power Plug |
Door Panel Removed |
Press the release
tab on the grey plastic electrical connector before sliding it straight out
of its socket. Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place. |
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Metal Door Frame |
OEM Door Speaker |
Hold Door Panel Near Frame |
The OEM door
speaker is located at the bottom inner corner of the metal door frame. Remove the four Torx T25 screws that secure the speaker in place by turning them counterclockwise. The OEM front door speakers can be replaced with aftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 5 1/4" (5.25") and 6 1/2" (6.5"). I'd recommend purchasing new speakers from Crutchfield since they usually include any necessary power adapters, wiring harnesses and/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 reduce vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume. To replace the door panel, hold it near the door frame and tilt the top edge towards yourself. |
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Push In Power Plug |
Re-Insert Door Opener Handle |
Snap Bracket In Place |
Push the electrical
connector straight in to its socket. Re-insert the door opener handle through the opening in the panel and pop the mounting bracket back in to place. |
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Door Handle Replaced |
Lower Panel On Top of Frame |
Line Up Pop Rivets & Holes |
Lower the top edge
of the plastic door panel on to the upper lip of the metal door frame. Line up the plastic pop rivet friction fasteners on the back of the door panel with their corresponding holes in the metal door frame. |
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Firmly Tap In Pop Rivets |
Tighten Phillips Head Screw |
Tighten 10mm Bolt Clockwise |
Firmly tap in the
pop rivet friction fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides of the
door panel. Tighten the Phillips head screw next to the door lock rocker switch in the clockwise direction. Re-insert the 10mm bolt and tighten it in the clockwise direction with the ratcheting wrench. |
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Tighten T25 Torx Screw |
Replace Rubber Cover |
Re-Insert Plastic Trim Piece |
Tighten the
Torx T25 screw in to the door pull well at the center of the armrest. Re-insert the rubber cover in to the door pull well. Re-insert the plastic trim piece behind the door opener handle. |
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Line Up Sail Panel |
Push On Sail Panel |
Door Panel Replaced |
Line up the
friction fasteners on the back of the sail panel and firmly push it back in
to place. Sit inside the vehicle, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, door lock switch, power window switch and power door lock switch all still work properly. For more,
check out my other
2013-2016 Dodge Dart DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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