Nissan
Pathfinder Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door
panels in a 4th generation 2013 to 2016 Nissan Pathfinder with photos.
2016 Pathfinder Door Panel |
Door Opener Handle |
Pry Out Trim Cover |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the fourth generation (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and probably also the
updated 2017 model year) Nissan Pathfinder SUV in taking off the
plastic interior door panels in order to upgrade the OEM door
speakers, add soundproofing material, fix a faulty electrical switch
or change a broken power window motor. Owners of other Nissan or Infiniti vehicles such as the Versa, Maxima, Juke, Rogue, Altima, Xterra, Sentra, Murano, Cube, Armada, Leaf, Quest, Frontier, Teana, 370Z, GT-R, Titan, G25, G37, M35, QX56, QX60 and M37 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools needed to remove the door panels include a small flathead screwdriver, a plastic pry bar tool, a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet. To remove the door speakers you'll need an 8mm socket. |
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Trim Cover Removed |
Bolt Cover In Armrest |
Screw Cover Removed |
The first two steps
are to lower the power window all the way down and then open the door. Use the small flathead screwdriver to gently pry out the plastic trim piece located behind the door opener handle. Set the plastic trim cover aside in a safe place. Then move to the grab handle in the middle of the armrest. Gently pry out the screw cover with a plastic pry bar tool. Set the armrest screw cover aside in a safe place. |
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Gently Pry Up Switch Panel |
Pull Out Switch Panel |
Press Release Tab |
Next, gently pry up the rear edge of the switch panel with the plastic pry bar tool. Lift up the rear end of the switch panel and pull out the curved plastic hook piece located at the front edge. Turn over the switch panel to access the electrical connector. Press in the release tab on the power plug before sliding it straight out of its socket. |
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Disconnect Power Plug |
Turn Counterclockwise |
10mm Bolt Removed |
Set the switch
panel aside in a safe place. Remove the single bolt behind the door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. Set the bolt aside with its corresponding plastic trim cover. |
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Two Armrest Bolts |
Loosen Counterclockwise |
Three Bolts Removed |
Remove the two 10mm
screws at the back of the grab handle in the center of the armrest by
turning them counterclockwise. Set the two armrest screws aside with their corresponding plastic cover. |
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Pry Out Bottom Edge |
Plastic Pop Rivets Removed |
Lift Panel Off Door Frame |
Insert the plastic
pry bar 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 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. Lift the plastic door panel up and off the metal door frame. |
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Tilt Away Top Edge |
Two Cables |
Door Lock Switch Cable |
Tilt the top edge
of the door panel away from the metal door frame and support the bottom with
your legs. There are two cables attached to the rear of the door panel. The top cable operates the door lock rocker switch and the bottom cable is for the door opener handle. |
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Pull Collar Out of Bracket |
Lift Elbow Out of Socket |
Door Opener Handle Cable |
Pull the plastic collar out of the bracket before lifting the metal elbow at the end of the door lock switch out of its socket. | ||
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Lift Ball Out of Socket |
Plastic Door Panel Removed |
Metal Door Frame |
Then pull the
plastic collar for the door opener handle cable out of the bracket before
lifting the metal ball at the end of cable out of its socket. 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. |
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8mm Speaker Screws |
Hold Panel Near Frame |
Re-Insert Metal Elbow |
To remove the OEM
speaker, turn the four smaller black metal screws in the counterclockwise
direction with an 8mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet. If you'd like to remove the larger outer plastic mounting bracket, you'll need a 10mm socket or a large Phillips head screwdriver for the silver metal bolts. I recommend applying some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame to help your new speakers sound their best. It will help stop rattles and vibrations when you really crank up the volume. To replace the plastic door panel, hold it near the metal door frame and tilt the top edge towards yourself. Re-insert the bar at the end of the door lock switch cable in to its socket at the top of the bracket. |
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Push Collar In Bracket |
Door Opener Handle Cable |
Re-Attach Cable |
Then pop the
plastic collar in to the "C" shaped socket on the bracket. Re-insert the metal ball at the end of the door opener handle cable in to its socket at the bottom of the bracket. Push the black plastic collar in to it socket. |
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Pull Cable Through Opening |
Lower Panel On Top of Frame |
Line Up Pop Rivets |
Pull the wire loom
for the switch panel out of the opening in the arm rest. Push the white plastic electrical connector straight in to its socket on the bottom of the switch panel until it clicks securely in to place. Lower the plastic door panel on to the upper lip of the metal door frame. Line up the white 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 |
Replace Switch Panel Plug |
Re-Insert Hook Front Edge |
Firmly tap in the
pop rivet friction fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides of the
door panel. Lower the curved plastic piece at the front edge of the switch panel in to the opening in the armrest. |
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Push Down Switch Panel |
Tighten Armrest Screws |
Tighten 10mm Clockwise |
Gently push down
the rear edge of the switch panel to secure the retaining clips. Replace the two 10mm armrest screws and tighten them in the clockwise direction until they are snug. |
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Replace Door Handle Bolt |
Pop In Screw Cover |
Screw Cover Replaced |
Replace the 10mm
bolt behind the door opener handle and tighten it in the clockwise
direction. Replace the plastic screw cover in to the rear of the grab handle. |
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Pop In Trim Piece |
Door Handle Screw Cover |
Door Panel Replaced |
Snap in the plastic
trim cover behind the door opener handle. Sit inside the SUV, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, door lock rocker switch, power door lock switch and power window switch all still work properly. For more,
check out all of my
2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinder DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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