GMC Terrain Interior Door
Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door
panels and upgrade the speakers in 1st generation 2010-2016 GMC Terrain.
2016 Terrain Door Panel |
Door Opener Handle |
Pry Out Plastic Trim Piece |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the first generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 &
2016) GMC Terrain in taking off the plastic interior door panels in
order to upgrade the OEM speakers. Owners of other General Motors vehicles such as the Buick Verano, Regal, LaCrosse, Cascada, Encore, Enclave, Envision, GMC Canyon, Sierra 1500, Acadia, 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 take off the door panel include a small flathead screwdriver, a 7mm socket, an 8mm socket and a large flathead screwdriver or an automotive panel pry bar tool. The OEM door speaker is held in place by three 7mm screws. |
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Trim Panel Removed |
Below Armrest |
Pry Out Screw Cover |
The first two steps
are to lower the power window all the way down and open the door. Then gently pry out the plastic trim piece behind the chrome silver door opener handle with the small flathead screwdriver. Set the plastic trim panel aside in a safe place. Move to the opening below the arm rest and pry out the plastic screw cover with the small flathead screwdriver. |
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Screw Cover Removed |
Remove 7mm Screw |
7mm Screw Removed |
Set the plastic
screw cover aside in a safe place. Remove the screw behind the door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise with a 7mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. Set the 7mm screw aside in a safe place. |
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Remove Armrest Screws |
8mm Screw Removed |
2nd 8mm Screw Removed |
Then remove the two
screws located below the armrest by turning them counterclockwise with the
8mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. Set the two 8mm screws aside in a safe place. |
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2 Plastic Pieces - 3 Screws |
Pull Out Bottom Of Panel |
Pop Rivets Removed |
At this point, you
should have removed two plastic trim pieces and three screws. Insert a plastic automotive pry bar tool or a large flathead screwdriver 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 release the plastic pop rivet friction fasteners. Continue pulling out all of the pop rivet all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. |
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Lift Panel Off Frame |
Tilt Away Top Edge |
Door Opener Handle Cable |
Lift 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 edge with your legs. Locate the door opener handle cable attached to the silver chrome and black plastic bracket. |
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Pry Up Plastic Clip |
Pull Clip Off Bracket |
Lift Ball Out of Socket |
Gently pry up the
black plastic clip near the end of the cable to release it from its mount. Swing the cable away from the panel. Lift the metal ball at the end of the cable out of its socket. |
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Electrical Connector |
Switch Panel Power Plug |
Push In Tabs To Unlock |
To disconnect the large electrical connector for the switch panel, you'll first have to squeeze together the tabs to unlock the lever. | ||
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2nd Tab On Other Side |
Squeeze Two Tabs To Release |
Lift Up Lever To Unlock |
Pinch together the
two tabs near the "Unlocked Padlock" icons on the connector to unlock the
lever. Swing the tan plastic lever up to release the power plug. |
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Slide Out Connector |
Plastic Door Panel Removed |
Metal Door Frame |
Slide the power
plug straight out of its socket. Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place. |
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7mm Speaker Screws |
Remove Any Stuck Pop Rivets |
Hold Panel Near Frame |
The OEM door
speaker is held in place by three 7mm screws. If any of the grey plastic pop rivets are still attached to the metal door frame, pry them out with a pop rivet removal tool. I recommend buying new speakers from Amazon since you can verify that they fit your SUV. If you'd like to reduce road noise and make your new speakers sound their best, apply some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will help stop rattles and vibrations when you crank up the volume. To replace the door panel, hold it near the metal door frame and tilt the top edge towards yourself. |
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Door Opener Handle Cable |
Insert Ball In Socket |
Push Plastic Clip On Mount |
Re-insert the metal
ball at the end of the door opener cable in to its socket. Swing the cable towards the bracket and push the black plastic clip back in to place. |
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Electrical Connector |
Slide In To Socket |
Flip Lever - Lock Plug |
Push the grey
plastic electrical connector for the switch panel straight in to its socket. Swing the tan plastic lever closed to secure the power plug in place. |
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Re-Insert Door Lock Stalk |
Lower Panel On Frame |
Line Up Plastic Pop Rivets |
Lower the door
panel on to the metal door frame and re-insert the door lock stalk in to its
hole. Make sure that the door panel is properly seated on the top edge of the door frame. Line up the 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 8mm Screw |
Tighten Armrest Clockwise |
Firmly tap in the
friction fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door
panel. Replace the two 8mm screws below the armrest by turning them clockwise with the 8mm socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. |
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Re-Insert Screw Cover |
Plastic Trim Piece Replaced |
Tighten 7mm Screw |
Pop the plastic
cover back in to place over the two 8mm screws. Replace the 7mm screw behind the door opener handle by turning it clockwise with the 7mm socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. |
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Re-Insert Trim Piece |
Pop In Screw Cover |
Door Panel Replaced |
Snap in the plastic
trim piece behind the door opener handle. Sit inside the SUV, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, power door lock switch, door stalk and power window switch all still work properly. For more,
check out my other
2010-2016 GMC Terrain DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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