Jeep Cherokee Interior Door
Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door
panels in a 5th generation 2014 to 2018 Jeep Cherokee to upgrade the speakers.
2015 Cherokee Door Panel |
Door Opener Handle |
Pull Out Plastic Trim Piece |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the fifth generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and probably
also the revised 2018 model year) Jeep Cherokee in taking off the
plastic 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 other Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat and RAM vehicles such as the Compass, Renegade, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, 500, Town & Country, 200, 300, Pacifica, Challenger, Charger, Dart, Durango, Journey, Grand Caravan, RAM 1500, C/V Tradesman and ProMaster Van may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools needed to remove the door panel include a Phillips head screwdriver, a 10mm socket, a 7mm socket, a 1/4" drive ratchet and a plastic pry bar tool (or a large flathead screwdriver). To remove the OEM door speakers, you'll need a Torx T20 star bit screwdriver. |
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Phillips & 10mm Screws |
Loosen Counterclockwise |
Phillips Screw Removed |
The first two steps
are to lower the power window all the way down and then open the door. Gently pull out the plastic trim piece located behind the door opener handle. There is a tab on the rear edge that makes it relatively easy to remove. If necessary, you can use a flathead screwdriver to pry it out. Remove the small screw by turning it counterclockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver. Set the screw aside in a safe place. |
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Pry Out Rubber Cover |
7mm Screw - Bottom Well |
Remove 10mm Bolt |
Then pry out the
rubber cover located near the center of the armrest at the bottom of the
door pull handle well with the flathead screwdriver. Set the rubber cover aside in a safe place. Remove the bolt behind the door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet. |
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10mm Bolt Removed |
Remove 7mm Screw |
7mm Screw Removed |
Remove the small
black screw at the bottom of the door pull handle well by turning it
counterclockwise with a 7mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet. Set the 10mm bolt and the 7mm screw aside with the plastic and rubber trim covers. |
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2 Screws, 1 Bolt, 2 Trim |
Pull Out Bottom Edge |
Release Pop Rivets |
Insert the plastic
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 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. |
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Pull Panel Off Door Frame |
Tilt Away Top Edge Panel |
Pull Out Door Handle |
There are a few
more pop rivets along the top edge of the door panel. Gently pull the top edge of the door panel off the metal door frame. Tilt the top edge of the door panel towards yourself and support the bottom edge with your legs. To release the door opener handle and door lock switch assembly, gently pull the rear edge (close to the cables) away from the back of the door panel. |
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Door Handle Removed |
Press Release Tab |
Disconnect Green Plug |
Remove the door
opener handle from the opening in the door panel. Press in the release tab on the green plastic electrical connector before sliding it straight out of its socket. |
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Slide Out Grey Power Plug |
Door Panel Removed |
Metal Door Frame |
Press the release
tab on the grey plastic power plug before sliding it straight out of its
socket. Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place. |
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Remove Torx T-20 Screws |
Hold Panel Near Frame |
Re-Insert Opener Handle |
The OEM door
speaker is located at the bottom inner corner of the metal door frame. Remove the four speaker screws by turning them counterclockwise with a Torx T-20 star bit screwdriver. I recommend applying some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame to help reduce vibrations and rattles which will allow your new speakers to sound their best when you crank up the volume. To replace the plastic door panel, hold it near the metal door frame. Re-insert the door opener handle in to the opening. |
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Push On Plastic Bracket |
Door Handle Secured |
Push In Green Power Plug |
Lower the rear edge
of the door opener handle and door lock assembly in to the mounting bracket
and push on it until it clicks securely in to place. Double check that the door opener handle and door lock switch assembly is securely attached to the bracket. Push the green plastic electrical connector straight in to its socket. |
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Push In Grey Power Plug |
Line Up Top Pop Rivets |
Push In To Secure Fasteners |
Slide the grey
power plug straight in to its socket. Line up the pop rivets along the top edge of the door panel with their corresponding holes in the metal door frame. Push the top edge of the door panel back in to place. |
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Line Up Lower Fasteners |
Firmly Tap In Pop Rivets |
Replace Phillips Screws |
Line up the pop
rivets on lower part of the door panel with their holes in the door frame. Firmly tap in the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. Replace the Phillips head screw behind the door opener handle by turning it clockwise until it is snug. |
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Smaller 7mm Screw |
Tighten Clockwise |
Re-Insert 10mm Bolt |
Re-insert the
smaller 7mm screw in to the bottom of the door pull well in the armrest. Tighten it in the clockwise direction with the 7mm socket and a 1/4" driver ratchet. |
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Tighten Clockwise |
Re-Insert Plastic Cover |
Trim Piece Replaced |
Replace the 10mm
bolt behind the door opener handle and tighten it in the clockwise
direction. Pop in the plastic trim piece behind the door opener handle. |
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Re-Insert Rubber Cover |
Door Pull Handle Well |
Plastic Door Panel Replaced |
Lower the rubber
cover in to the bottom of the well in the armrest. Sit inside the SUV, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, door lock switch, power window switch, power door lock switch and the new speaker are all working properly. For more,
check out all of my
Jeep Cherokee DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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