Dodge
Challenger Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door
panel in a 3rd generation 2008 to 2015 Dodge Challenger to upgrade the speaker.
By Paul B. Michaels Author & Photographer Auto Mechanic Since 1989 |
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2015 Challenger Door Panel |
Door Opener Handle |
Pry Out Trim Piece |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the third generation (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013,
2014, 2015 & possibly also the 2016 model year) Dodge Challenger in
taking off the plastic interior door panels in order to upgrade the
OEM speaker, add soundproofing material, fix a faulty electrical
switch or replace a broken power window motor. Owners of other Chrysler, Dodge and RAM vehicles such as the Town & Country, 300, 200, Avenger, Charger, Journey, Dart, Durango, Grand Caravan, and Ram C/V Tradesman minivan may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools needed to take off the door panel include a small flathead screwdriver, a standard Phillips head screwdriver, a large flathead screwdriver or a plastic panel removal tool and a pair of needle nose pliers. To remove the OEM door speaker, you'll need a Torx T-15 star bit screwdriver. |
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Trim Panel Removed |
Pry Up Rubber Cover |
Armrest Well Cover Removed |
The first two steps
are to lower the power window all the way down and then open the door. Pry out the plastic trim panel behind the door opener handle with a small flathead screwdriver. Set the plastic piece aside in a safe place. Then pry out the triangular shaped rubber cover at the bottom of the door pull well at the center of the arm rest. |
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Plastic Fastener - Inner Edge |
Push In Center of Fastener |
Outer Part of Fastener Removed |
Move to the inner
edge of the door panel and locate the round plastic fastener. Gently push in the small center part of the fastener with a screwdriver to release it. Then pry out the entire fastener with a small flathead screwdriver. Set the fastener aside in a safe place. |
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Loosen Phillips Head Screw |
Armrest Well Screw Removed |
Screw Behind Door Handle |
Remove the Phillips
head screw at the bottom of the well in the arm rest by turning it
counterclockwise. Remove the Phillips head screw behind the door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise. Set the two screws aside in a safe place. |
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Door Handle Screw Removed |
3 Screws - Bottom Edge |
Remove Counterclockwise |
Move to the bottom
edge of the door panel and locate the three small Phillips head screws. Remove the screws by turning them counterclockwise with a Phillips head screwdriver. |
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3 Phillips Head Screws |
2 Panels, 1 Fastener, 5 Screws |
Pry Out Bottom Edge |
Set the three
screws aside with the other fasteners and plastic pieces. At this point, you should have removed 2 plastic panels, 1 plastic fastener and five Phillips head screws. Insert a large flathead screwdriver or a plastic automotive panel removal 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. |
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Disengage Pop Rivets |
Pull Out Door Lock Stalk |
Pull Off Door Panel |
Continue pulling
out the plastic pop rivet fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides
of the door panel. Lift the door panel off the metal door frame. Pull the door lock stalk out of the hole near the top rear edge. Tilt the top edge of the door panel towards yourself and support the bottom edge with your legs. |
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Press Release Tab |
Disconnect Power Plugs |
Courtesy Step Light Housing |
Press the release
tab on the small black plastic electrical connector for the tweeter speaker
and pull it out of its socket. Then press the release tab on the green plastic electrical connector for the switch panel and slide it straight out of its socket. |
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Pull Out Light Housing |
Press In Release Tab |
Door Opener Handle Cable |
Gently pull out the
courtesy step light housing located at the bottom edge of the door panel. You can either disconnect the power plug or just push the housing through the opening in the door panel. To disconnect the door opener handle cable, you'll need a pair of needle nose pliers. |
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Squeeze Together Two Prongs |
Pull Out Plastic Collar |
Swing Out Cable |
Squeeze together
the two plastic prongs on the black plastic collar near the end of the
cable. Push the black plastic collar out of the bracket and swing out the cable away from the door panel. |
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Pull Cylinder Out of Socket |
Plastic Door Panel Removed |
Metal Door Frame |
Lift the metal
cylinder at the end of the door opener cable out of its socket. Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place. |
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Speaker - Torx T15 Screws |
Hold Panel Near Frame |
Push In Power Plug |
To remove the OEM
door speaker, loosen the four screws by turning them counterclockwise with a
Torx T-15 star bit screwdriver. The OEM door speakers can be replaced with aftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 6"x9", 6.5" (6 1/2"), 7", 6 3/4" (6.75") and 5 1/4" (5.25"). I'd recommend buying new speakers from Crutchfield since they usually include any necessary wiring harnesses, electrical connector adapters and/or mounting brackets. If you'd like to reduce road noise and make your new speakers sound better, apply some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will help reduce rattles and vibrations when you crank up the volume. To replace the door panel, hold it near the door frame while supporting it with your legs. Push the green plastic electrical electrical connector in to the socket on the underside of the switch panel. |
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Courtesy Light Cable |
Push In Black Plastic Plug |
Door Opener Handle Cable |
Pass the electrical
connector for the courtesy step light through the hole in the bottom of the
door panel. Push in the black plastic power plug for the tweeter speaker back in to its socket. |
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Re-Insert Metal Cylinder |
Push In Black Plastic Prongs |
Door Lock Stalk In Hole |
Re-insert the metal
cylinder at the end of the door opener handle cable in to its socket. Push in the black plastic collar near the end of the cable in to the bracket. Make sure that the two plastic prongs expand to securely hold the cable in place. Re-insert the door lock stalk in to the hole near the top rear edge of the door panel. |
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Lower Door Panel On Frame |
Line Up Pop Rivets & Holes |
Tap In Plastic Fasteners |
Lower the door
panel down on to the top lip of the door frame. Line up the white plastic pop rivet friction fasteners on the back side of the door panel with their corresponding holes in the metal door frame. Firmly tap in the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. |
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Plug In Courtesy Step Light |
Re-Insert Step Light Housing |
Pop In Retaining Clip |
Plug in the courtesy step light and re-insert the housing in to the bottom edge of the door panel. | ||
Replace Bottom 3 Screws |
Tighten Phillips Clockwise |
Re-Insert Plastic Fastener |
Replace the 3
screws at the bottom edge of the door panel by turning them clockwise with
the Phillips head screwdriver. Push in the plastic fastener at the inner edge of the door panel. |
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Replace Arm Rest Screw |
Replace Door Handle Screw |
Pop In Plastic Trim Panel |
Replace the screw
at the bottom of the door pull in the armrest by turning it clockwise with
the Phillips head screwdriver. Replace the Phillips head screw behind the door opener handle by turning it clockwise. Pop in the plastic trim piece behind the door opener handle. |
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Trim Panel Replaced |
Re-Insert Rubber Cover |
Plastic Door Panel Replaced |
Replace the rubber
cover at the bottom of the door pull well in the arm rest. Sit inside the vehicle, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, door lock stalk, speaker, power door lock switch and power window switch all still work properly. For more,
check out my other
2008-2015 Dodge Challenger DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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