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Chevrolet Tahoe Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the interior door panel of a 3rd generation 2007 to 2014 GM Chevy Tahoe to upgrade the OEM speaker.

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2014 Tahoe Door Panel
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Door Opener Handle
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Pry Out Plastic Trim Panel
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014) Chevrolet Tahoe in removing the plastic interior door panels in order to upgrade the OEM speakers, add soundproofing material, fix a faulty electrical switch or change a broken power window motor.

Owners of related General Motors full size SUV or truck vehicles with similar door panels such as the Suburban, Avalanche, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Yukon Denali, Sierra, Cadillac Escalade and Hummer H2 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed for this procedure include a small flathead screwdriver, a 10mm socket, an extension bar, a ratcheting wrench and a large flathead screwdriver or a plastic automotive panel removal tool.

The OEM door speaker is held in place by one 7mm screw.



 
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Trim Piece Removed
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Arm Rest Pull Handle
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Trim Panel Removed
The first two steps are to lower the window and open the door.

To prevent from scratching the plastic surfaces, you may choose to cover the tip of your screwdriver with a thin micro fiber cloth.

Insert the blade of your small flathead screwdriver in to the notch at the bottom edge of the trim piece behind the chrome door opener handle and gently pry it out.

Set the trim panel aside in a safe place.

Then pry out the rectangular trim panel located below the door pull handle at the center of the arm rest.

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Door Lock Stalk
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Pry Out Lock Tab
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Lift Out Door Lock Stalk

Lift the door lock stalk up in to the "unlocked" position and gently pry out the small locking tab with the flathead screwdriver.

Pull the door lock stalk straight up out of the door panel and set it aside in a safe place.

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Pry Up Rear of Switch Panel
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Pull Out Switch Panel
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4 Electrical Connectors
Gently pry up the rear edge of the door lock and power window switch panel with the small flathead screwdriver.

Pull the switch panel straight up and out of the arm rest.

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Press Release Buttons
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Power Plugs Removed
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Remove 10mm Bolt
Turn over the switch panel and press the release tabs on each electrical connector before pulling the plugs straight out of their sockets.

Set the electrical switch panel aside in a safe place.

Remove the single bolt behind the chrome door opener handle by turning it counter clockwise with the 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench.

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Deep Well 10mm Socket
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10mm Bolts Below Arm Rest
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Loosen Counter Clockwise
Then remove the two bolts behind the door pull handle at the center of the arm rest by turning them counter clockwise with the 10mm socket attached to an extension bar.

(I used a deep well 10mm socket, a short extension bar and a 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench.)

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3 10mm Bolts Removed
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Loosen Sail Panel Fasteners
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Sail Panel Off Frame
At this point, you should have removed three 10mm bolts, two plastic trim panels, the door lock stalk and the electrical switch panel.

Move to the upper inner corner of the door panel and gently pry off the sail panel with the small flathead screwdriver.

The sail panel is held in place to the door frame by two metal clips that act as friction fasteners. The sail panel may remain attached at the bottom edge to the door panel.

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Insert Flathead Screwdriver
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Pull Out Pop Rivets
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Friction Fasteners Removed
Insert the flathead screwdriver or an automotive panel removal tool in between the bottom edge of the door panel and the metal door frame.

Pull the bottom edge of the door panel out and upwards to disengage the plastic pop rivet friction fasteners and the two plastic hooks on the back side.

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

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Pull Panel Off Door Frame
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Door Opener Handle Cable
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Squeeze Together 2 Prongs
Pull the door panel up and off the top of the metal door frame.

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

To release the door opener cable, first squeeze together the two prongs on the black plastic collar with a pair of needle nose pliers.



 

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Pull Out Black Plastic Collar
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Swing Out Cable
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Lift Out Metal Ball At End
Pull the black plastic collar straight out of the bracket.

Swing the cable away from yourself and lift the metal ball at the end out of its socket.

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Door Panel Removed
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Two Plastic Hooks At Bottom
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Foam Door Frame Cover
Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place.

The metal door frame is covered by a foam sound deadener panel.

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Speaker Screw Under Cover
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Remove 7mm Screw
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Pull Out OEM Speaker
Lift up the foam cover to access the single screw that holds the OEM speaker in place.

Remove the screw by turning it counter clockwise with a 7mm socket and ratcheting wrench.

Pull the speaker out of the door panel and release the power plug. Pry out the grey plastic pop rivet fastener that holds the wire harness in place.

The OEM front door speakers can be replaced with aftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 6 1/2" (6.5") and 6 3/4" (6.75").

I'd recommend purchasing new speakers from Crutchfield since they usually include any needed power plug adapters, wiring harnesses and mounting brackets.

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

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Release Power Plug
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Pull Out Pop Rivet
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Hold Panel Near Door Frame
To re-install the door panel, hold it near the door frame and tilt the top towards yourself while supporting the bottom with your thighs.
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Metal Ball At End of Cable
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Insert Ball In To Socket
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Push In Black Plastic Collar
Insert the metal ball at the end of the door opener handle cable in to its socket.

Swing the cable towards the panel and then push the black plastic collar in to the bracket.

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Hang Door Panel On Frame
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Plugs Through Arm Rest
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Line Up Hooks & Pop Rivets
Hang the door panel on to the top lip of the metal door frame.

Pull the electrical connectors through the hole in the arm rest.

Re-insert the two plastic hooks on the bottom of the door panel and line up the white plastic pop rivet friction fasteners with their corresponding holes in the frame.

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Firmly Tap In Pop Rivets
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Re-Insert Door Lock Stalk
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Push In Locking Tab
Firmly tap all along the bottom edge and both side of the door panel to re-insert the pop rivets.

Lower the door lock stalk down in to place over the metal piece. Push in the lock tab.

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Push Down Door Lock Stalk
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Lock/Window Switch Panel
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Push In Power Plugs
Push the door lock stalk down in to the "locked" position and then up again to make sure it is securely attached.

Push the electrical connectors back in to their sockets on the underside of the switch panel.

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Push In Switch Panel
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Replace Door Handle Bolt
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Replace Bolts Below Arm Rest
Gently push the switch panel down in to place on the arm rest.

Replace the bolt behind the door opener handle by turning it clockwise with the 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench.

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10mm - Tighten Clockwise
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Arm Rest Plastic Trim Panel
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Snap In Trim Piece
Tighten the two bolts below the door pull handle on the arm rest by turning them clockwise with the 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench.

Line up the plastic trim piece and push it back in to place below the arm rest door pull handle.

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Door Opener Handle Trim
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Push In Trim Piece
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Door Panel Replaced
Push the plastic trim panel back in to place behind the door opener handle.

Sit in the vehicle, close the door and check that the door opener handle, the power door lock and the power window switches all work properly.

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

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