Nissan Armada
Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the interior door panels
of a 1st generation 2004-2015 Nissan Armada to upgrade the OEM speakers.
2012 Armada Door Panel |
Trim Behind Door Handle |
Pry Out Screw Cover |
This
automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners
of the first generation (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010,
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015) Nissan Armada in removing the interior
door panels in order to upgrade the OEM speakers, add soundproofing
material, fix a faulty electrical switch or replace the power window
motor. Owners of other Nissan or Infiniti vehicles such as the Versa, Cube, Sentra, Altima, LEAF, Maxima, 370Z, Juke, Rogue, Murano, Xterra, Pathfinder, Quest, Frontier, Titan, QX56, Q50, G37, EX37, QX60, FX37, FX50 and QX80 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools required to take off the door panels include a small flathead screwdriver, a Phillips head screwdriver and either an automotive panel removal tool or a large flathead screwdriver. Removing the OEM door speakers requires an 8mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet. |
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Screw Cover Removed |
Pry Off Trim Behind Handle |
Door Pull Handle Screws |
The front interior
door panels of a Nissan Armada are held in place by four Phillips head
screws and 14 plastic pop rivet friction fasteners. The first step is to pry out the small square trim cover behind the door opener handle with a small flathead screwdriver to reveal the first Phillips head screw. Then pry out the rectangular trim cover behind the door pull handle just below the arm rest with the small flathead screwdriver. Behind the cover you'll see two more Phillips head screws. Set the two trim panels aside in a safe place. |
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Remove Phillips Head Screw |
Remove Other Trim Panel |
Additional Screw Revealed |
Remove the single
Phillips head screw behind the door opener handle and set it aside in
a safe place. Once the screw is removed, you can pry out the larger trim panel behind the door opener handle to access the 2nd screw. |
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Remove 2nd Handle Screw |
Remove 2 Arm Rest Screws |
Pull Out Bottom of Panel |
Remove the 2nd
screw behind the door opener handle and set it aside in a safe place. Remove the two screws below the arm rest with the Phillips head screwdriver by turning them counter clockwise. Move to the bottom of the door panel and firmly pull it towards you to disengage the plastic pop rivet fasteners. You may need to use an automotive panel pry bar tool or a flathead screwdriver to snap out the first few fasteners. |
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Pull Out Pop Rivet Fasteners |
Pry Out Step Light |
Disconnect Power Plug |
Continue pulling
out the pop rivet fasteners all along the bottom and two sides of the door
panel. Pry out the step courtesy light housing at the middle bottom of the panel with the small flathead screwdriver. Pry out the rear edge of the housing first. Then disconnect the power plug and set the housing aside in a safe place. |
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Courtesy Step Light Housing |
Lift Panel Off Frame |
Release Power Connector |
Lift the panel up
and off the lip on the door frame. Lean the top of the door panel towards yourself while supporting the bottom with your thighs. Press the release button on the white electrical connector at the bottom of the switch panel and slide it straight out of its socket. |
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Door Opener Handle Cable |
Pull Collar Out of Bracket |
Lift Metal Ball From Socket |
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Locate the door
opener handle cable near the middle of the door panel.
Pop the grey plastic collar out of the bracket and lift the metal ball at the end out of its socket. |
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Door Lock/Unlock Switch |
Door Lock Cable |
Pop Collar From Bracket |
Just below and in
front of the door opener handle is the door lock/unlock switch cable. Pull the grey plastic collar out of the bracket and lift the metal bar at the end out of its socket. |
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Lift Metal Bar From Socket |
Door Panel Removed |
Armada Door Frame |
Set the plastic
door panel aside in a safe place. If you need to access the power window motor, you'll have to peel back the white plastic cover. |
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4 - 8mm Speaker Screws |
Remove OEM Door Speaker |
Hold Panel Near Frame |
The OEM door
speaker is held in place by four 8mm screws. Remove the screws by turning them counter clockwise with the 8mm socket and ratcheting wrench. You can upgrade the OEM door speakers with 5 1/4" (5.25"), 6 1/2" (6.5") or 6x9 inch speakers. I'd recommend purchasing new speakers from Amazon since you can verify that they will fit your vehicle and whether or not you will need a mounting bracket. 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. To re-install the door panel, first hold it near the frame and angle the top towards yourself. |
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Re-Insert Cable Ends |
Snap Collars In To Brackets |
Push In Power Connector |
Re-insert the bar
at the end of the door lock/unlock switch cable in to its socket and pop the
grey plastic collar in to the bracket. Re-insert the metal ball at the end of the door opener handle cable in to its socket and then snap the grey plastic collar in to the bracket. Push the white plastic power plug straight in to its socket at the bottom of the switch panel. |
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Hang Panel On Frame Lip |
Pull Step Light Plug Out |
Line Up Friction Fasteners |
Carefully lower the
top of the door panel on to the lip at the top of the door frame. Pull the power connector for the step courtesy light housing out of the rectangular hole at the bottom of the panel. Line up the orange pop rivet friction fasteners on the rear of the door panel with the corresponding holes in the door frame. |
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Firmly Tap In Panel Clips |
Re-Insert Step Light Housing |
Replace Inner Handle Screw |
Firmly tap all
along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel to re-insert all 14
of the pop rivet fasteners. Push the power plug in to the socket on the step courtesy light housing. Re-insert the wires and front edge of the housing in first and then pop the rear edge in to place. Replace the interior Phillips head screw behind the door opener handle located closer to the rear of the panel. |
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Replace Larger Trim Panel |
Tighten Outer Handle Screw |
Replace Small Screw Cover |
Pop the larger trim
panel in to place behind the door opener handle.
Then replace the other Phillips head screw and pop the small rectangular cover in to place over it. |
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Tighten 2 Arm Rest Screws |
Pop In Arm Rest Screws Cover |
Door Panel Replaced |
Re-insert and
tighten the two Phillips head screws behind the door pull handle and
just below the arm rest. Pop the rectangular trim panel back in to place. Sit in the vehicle, close the door, and verify that the door lock/unlock switch, power window switch and door opener handle all work properly. For more,
check out my other
Nissan
Armada Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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