GMC Acadia
Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door
panels in a 1st generation 2007 to 2016 GMC Acadia to upgrade the OEM speaker.
2016 Acadia Door Panel |
Door Opener Handle |
Pry Out Plastic Trim Piece |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the first generation (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016) GMC Acadia 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 Buick Verano, Regal, LaCrosse, Cascada, Encore, Enclave, Envision, GMC Canyon, Sierra 1500, Terrain, Yukon, Denali, Savana, Spark, Sonic, Cruze, Malibu, Impala, Volt, Camaro, Corvette, SS, Trax, Equinox, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado and Express may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools needed to complete this procedure include a small flathead screwdriver, a plastic automotive panel pry bar, a Torx T30 star bit screwdriver and a pair of needle nose pliers. To remove the OEM door speaker, you'll need a 1/4" or 6.5mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. |
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Trim Piece Removed |
Pry Off Trim Cover |
Door Pull Handle Panel |
The first two steps
are to lower the power window all the way down and then open the door. Gently pry out the plastic trim piece behind the door opener handle with a small flathead screwdriver. Set the trim piece aside in a safe place. Then pry off the trim panel that covers the door pull handle that extends from the armrest to just in front of the door opener handle. I'd recommend using a plastic automotive panel removal tool to prevent from scratching the trim panel. |
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Loosen Torx T-30 Screw |
Door Handle Screw Removed |
Door Pull Handle Screws |
Remove the single
screw behind the door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise with a
Torx T30 star bit screwdriver. Set the screw aside with the plastic trim piece. Then remove the two T30 screws in the door pull handle by turning them counterclockwise. |
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Remove Top T30 Screw |
3 Screws & 2 Trim Panels |
Pry Out Pop Rivets |
Set the two door
pull handle bolts aside in a safe place. Insert a large flathead screwdriver or the plastic panel pry bar tool in between the door panel and the metal door frame. Gently pry off the door panel to release the plastic pop rivet friction fasteners. |
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Release Friction Fasteners |
White Plastic Pop Rivets |
Pop Off Sail Panel |
There is a notch on
the bottom edge of the door panel where you can insert the pry bar tool and
release the pop rivets. Continue pulling out the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. Move to the top inner corner of the door panel and gently pry off the sail panel to release the friction fastener. |
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Lift Door Panel Off Frame |
Door Opener Handle Cable |
Pinch Together Two Prongs |
Lift the plastic
door panel up and off the top of the metal door frame. Tilt the top edge of the door panel towards yourself while supporting the bottom edge with your legs. To release the door opener handle cable, first squeeze together the two prongs on the black plastic collar and pull it out of the bracket. |
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Pull Black Plastic Collar Out |
Lift Ball Out of Socket |
Two Electrical Connectors |
Swing the door
opener handle cable away from the panel and lift the metal ball at the end
out of its socket. Press the release tabs on the two electrical connectors before sliding the plugs straight out of their sockets. |
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Press Release Tabs |
Plastic Door Panel Removed |
Metal Door Frame |
Set the plastic
door panel aside in a safe place. The OEM door speaker is located at the bottom inner corner of the door frame. To remove it, loosen the screws with a 1/4" or 6.5mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. |
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Loosen Counterclockwise |
Hold Panel Near Frame |
Push In Power Plugs |
The OEM door
speakers can be replaced with aftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 6
3/4" (6.75") and 6 1/2" (6.5"). I'd recommend purchasing new speakers from Crutchfield since they usually include any necessary mounting brackets, wiring harnesses and electrical connector adapters. 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 the vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume. To replace the plastic door panel, hold it near the door frame and tilt the top edge towards yourself. Push the two power plugs straight in to their sockets. |
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Lower Ball In Socket |
Push Plastic Collar In Bracket |
Re-Insert Door Lock Stalk |
Lower the metal
ball at the end of the door opener handle in to its socket. Push the black plastic collar near the end of the door opener handle cable in to the bracket. Re-insert the door lock stalk in to its opening at the top outer corner of the door panel/ |
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Lower Panel On Frame |
Push On Sail Panel |
Line Up Pop Rivets |
Lower the plastic
door panel on to the top of the metal door frame. Push the sail panel back in to place. Line up the white plastic pop rivets behind the plastic door panel with their corresponding holes in the metal door frame. |
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Firmly Tap In Fasteners |
Screw Taped On |
Tighten T30 Clockwise |
Firmly tap in the
pop rivet friction fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides of the
door panel. I'd recommend taping the lower door pull handle screw to the Torx T30 screwdriver to make it easier to replace. Use something not too sticky such as painter's tape or Scotch office tape. Tighten the two door pull handle screws in the clockwise direction until they are snug. |
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Tighten Upper T30 Screw |
Door Opener Handle Screw |
Line Up Trim Panel |
Then replace the
screw behind the door opener handle by turning it clockwise with the Torx
T30 screwdriver. Line up the plastic door pull handle trim panel. |
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Push On Trim Cover |
Pop In Trim Piece |
Plastic Door Panel Replaced |
Gently push on the
door pull handle trim cover to secure the retaining clips. Push the plastic trim piece behind the door opener handle back in to place. Sit inside the vehicle, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, the power window switch, power door lock switch and the door lock stalk all still work properly. For more, check out my other
2007-2016 GMC Acadia DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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