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Ford Mustang Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the interior door panels of a revised 5th generation 2010 to 2014 Ford Mustang to upgrade the speakers.

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2012 Mustang Door Panel
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Pry Off Sail Panel
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Sail Panel Removed
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the updated fifth generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014) Ford Mustang in removing the 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 the earlier 5th generation Mustangs from 2005 to 2009 and possibly the 4th generation 1994 to 2004 models with similar door panels may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed to remove the door panels include a small flathead screwdriver, a Torx T-30 star bit screwdriver, a 7mm socket, a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench and needle nose pliers.

To remove the two door speakers, you'll need a Torx T-15 screwdriver, a 10mm socket and a ratcheting wrench.



 
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Pry Out Trim Panel
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Screw Behind Door Handle
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Pry Up Front of Switch Panel
The first step is to move to the upper inner corner of the door panel and gently pry off the sail panel with the flathead screwdriver. In some models, the sail panel may contain a tweeter speaker.

Set the sail panel aside in a safe place.

Then pry out the rectangular plastic trim piece behind the door opener handle that covers a single Torx T-30 screw.

Next gently pry up the front part of the power window and door lock electrical switch panel.

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Disconnect Switch Panel
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Trim Piece Below Armrest
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Trim Panel Removed
Press the release button on the power plug and disconnect the switch panel.

Move to the arm rest and gently pry out the rectangular trim piece just below and behind the door pull handle with the small flathead screwdriver.

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Pry Up Lock Stalk Trim
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Lock Stalk Trim Removed
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Remove Torx T30 Screw
Then move to the outer upper corner of the door panel and gently pry up the door lock stalk trim piece.

Remove the single screw behind the door opener handle with the Torx T30 star bit screwdriver by turning it counter clockwise.

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T30 Screw Removed
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Armrest T30 Screw
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T-30 Screw Removed
Remove the 2nd Torx T30 screw by the door pull handle and arm rest.

Set the two T30 screws aside in a safe place.

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Pry Out Screw Cover
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Screw - Outer Edge of Panel
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Pry Out 2nd Screw Cover
Move to the outer edge of the door panel and pry off the two round plastic screw covers with the small flathead screwdriver.
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Remove Lower 7mm Screw
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7mm Screw Removed
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Remove Upper 7mm Screw
Remove the two screws on the outer edge of the door panel by turning them counter clockwise with a 7mm socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench.

Set the screws aside with the other fasteners and trim panels.

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2 Screws Inner Edge Panel
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Remove Upper 7mm Screw
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3 Screws Along Bottom Edge
Then move to the inner edge of the door panel and remove the two screws by turning them counter clockwise with the 7mm socket and ratcheting wrench.
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Remove Center 7mm Screw
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2 T-30 & Seven 7mm Screw
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Replacing Speaker? - Remove Ring
Remove the three 7mm screws located along the bottom edge of the door panel.

At this point, you should have two large Torx T30 screws and seven smaller 7mm screws.

If you plan on replacing the subwoofer speaker, you can pry off the plastic speaker ring and remove the eight 7mm screws below it. To prevent from damaging the speaker ring, use a plastic automotive panel removal tool.

  Removing the outer speaker ring and eight 7mm screws is not necessary if you are not replacing the subwoofer. The door panel can be removed with the subwoofer still attached to it.

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Speaker Ring Removed
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7mm Speaker Screws
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8 - 7mm Speaker Screws
If you are not replacing the subwoofer speaker, continue on to the next steps.
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Screw Below Switch Panel
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Remove 7mm Screw
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Screw Removed

The last screw that needs to be removed before you can pull off the door panel is located just below where the switch panel is situated on the arm rest.

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

Now you should have removed the sail panel, 2 Torx T30 screws and eight 7mm screws along with the three trim pieces and the switch panel.

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Lift Door Panel Off Frame
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Disconnect Power Plugs
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Press Release Buttons
Carefully lift the door panel up and off the metal door frame.

Tilt the top of the door panel towards yourself while supporting the bottom with your thighs.

Press the release buttons on the various electrical connectors and slide them straight out of their sockets.

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Electrical Connector Removed
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All Plugs Disconnected
The number of power plugs will vary depending on your Mustang's stereo system (stock, Shaker 500, Shaker 1000) and whether you are removing the driver or passenger side door panel.

Each power plug only fits in to one socket and some of them may be color coded. So you don't have to worry about re-connecting them to the incorrect socket.

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Door Opener Handle Cable
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Squeeze Together 2 Prongs
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Pull Out Plastic Collar
To release the door opener handle cable, first use the needle nose pliers to squeeze together the two prongs at the end of the green plastic collar.

Pull the green plastic collar straight out of the bracket.



 

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Swing Cable Outwards
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Lift Metal Cylinder Out
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Plastic Door Panel Removed
Swing the cable out and away from the door panel.

Lift the metal cylinder at the end of the cable out of the socket.

Now you can pull the plastic door panel away from the frame and set it aside in a safe place.

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Metal Door Frame
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Upper Door Speaker
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Remove 4 Torx T15 Screws
To replace the upper 6"x8" full range door speaker, remove the the four screws with a Torx T-15 screwdriver.
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4 T15 Screws Removed
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Pull Out Upper Speaker
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Disconnect Power Plug
Pull the speaker out of the door frame, press the release button on the power connector, and pull it straight out of the socket.

The 6"x8" speakers can be replaced with 5 1/4" (5.25"), 5"x7" or 6"x8" inch aftermarket speakers.

I'd recommend ordering new speakers from Crutchfield since they usually include any necessary wiring adapters or mounting brackets.

To help reduce road noise and make your new speakers sound better, apply some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will stop vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume.

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Power Window Motor
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10mm Bolt Behind Woofer
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10mm Screw Removed
The power window motor is accessible from a cutout area in the metal door frame.

To remove the 8" subwoofer in the lower part of the door panel, remove the single 10mm screw on the back of the panel and then pull the speaker straight out.

If you haven't already removed the speaker ring and eight 7mm screws on the front of the panel, you'll have to do those steps before the subwoofer speaker can be removed..

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Lower Woofer Removed
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Plastic Hooks Bottom Panel
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Rest Hooks In Door Frame
To re-install the door panel, hold it near the door frame.

You may choose to rest the plastic hooks at the bottom of the panel in the slots on the door frame.

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Re-Connect Power Plugs
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Push Plugs In Sockets
Push the various electrical connectors in to their sockets until they click securely in place.

Pull the power plug for the switch panel through the hole in the arm rest.

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Insert Cylinder In Socket
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Push Green Collar In Bracket
Insert the metal cylinder at the end of the door opener cable in to the socket, swing the cable towards the panel, and push the green plastic collar in to the bracket.
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Door Opener Cable Replaced
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Hang Door Panel On Frame
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Rest Panel On Frame
Carefully hang the door panel on to the top lip of the door frame while simultaneously inserting the plastic hooks at the bottom of the panel in to their slots.

Make sure that the door lock stalk at the outer upper corner is in the proper position.

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Replace Screw Below Switch Panel
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Replace Door Handle Screw
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Replace Screw Below Arm Rest
Replace the single screw below the switch panel opening and tighten it by turning it clockwise with the 7mm socket and ratcheting wrench.

Replace the larger screw behind the door opener handle and tighten it with the Torx T30 screwdriver.

Replace the other Torx T30 screw below the arm rest by the door pull handle.

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Plug In Switch Panel
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Insert Rear of Switch Panel
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Push Front Edge In
Push the electrical connector for the switch panel straight in to its socket.

Insert the rear of the switch panel in place first and then pop in the front edge.

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Replace Arm Rest Trim Piece
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Pop Panel In Place
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Replace Door Handle Trim
Push in the rectangular trim panel below the arm rest and door pull handle.

Replace the smaller rectangular trim piece behind the door opener handle.

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Replace Lock Stalk Cover
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Replace Woofer Speaker Screws
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8 - 7mm Screws
Push the door lock stalk cover back in to place at the upper outer corner of the panel.

If you replaced the subwoofer speaker, re-insert the eight 7mm screws around the speaker grille and tighten them.

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Tabs On Speaker Ring
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Slots On Door Panel
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Line Up Pegs & Holes
Line up the tabs on the rear of the plastic speaker ring with the corresponding slots around the grille.
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Push On Speaker Ring
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Tighten Lower 7mm Screws
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Replace Outer Edge Screws
Gently push the speaker ring back in to place over the grille until it clicks securely in place.
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Push In Screw Cover
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Tighten Lower 7mm Screw
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Two Outer Edge Screws
Replace the two screws on the outer edge of the door panel and tighten them by turning them clockwise with the 7mm socket and ratcheting wrench.

Push the plastic screw covers back in place.

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Three Lower 7mm Screws
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Replace 2 Inner 7mm Screws
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Tighten Until Snug
Tighten the three 7mm screws along the bottom edge of the door panel.
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Line Up Sail Panel
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Push On Sail Panel
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Door Panel Replaced
Line up the friction fasteners on the rear of the sail panel and push it back in to place.

Sit inside the car, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, door lock stalk, power door lock switch and power window switch all still work properly.

For more, check out my other Ford Mustang Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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