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VW Beetle Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the interior door panels in a 2nd generation "New" 2012-2016 Volkswagen Beetle to upgrade the speakers.

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2015 VW Beetle Door Panel
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Insert Panel Removal Tool
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Gently Pry Off Handle Cover
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and probably also the 2016 model year) "New" VW Beetle in removing the plastic interior door panels in order to upgrade the OEM door speakers, add soundproofing material, fix a faulty electrical switch or replace a broken power window motor.

Owners of other Volkswagen Group vehicles such as the Passat, CC, Tiguan, Golf, Touareg, Jetta, GTI, SportWagen, Eos, Rabbit, Bora, Vento, Lavida, Coccinelle, Maggiolino, Fusca, Audi A3, A4, S4, A6, S6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, A5, S5, and TT may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed to take off the door panels include a plastic automotive panel removal tool or a flathead screwdriver, a Torx T-30 star bit screwdriver and a 10mm wrench.

To remove and upgrade the OEM door speakers, you'll need an electric drill and a drill bit set to drill out the metal rivets.



 
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Plastic Trim Piece Removed
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Metal Friction Fasteners
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Door Pull Handle Screws

The first two steps are to lower the power window all the way down and then open the door.

Use a plastic automotive panel pry bar tool or a large flathead screwdriver covered with a thin micro fiber cloth to gently pry off the trim piece that covers the outside of the door pull handle.

You may need to re-insert the pry tool at several locations to loosen the trim panel.

Try to avoid using excessive force to prevent from damaging the trim cover. It should pop off relatively easily.

Set the door pull handle trim cover aside in a safe place.

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Bottom Edge Door Panel
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1/4 Turn To Release
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2nd Plastic Clip
Move to the bottom edge of the door panel and locate the two retaining clips.

Use a 10mm wrench to rotate the two clips 1/4 turn in either direction to release them.

Make sure that the two clips are orientated with their tabs facing up and down instead of left and right.

This position will allow them to be pulled through the opening in the door panel.

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2nd Clip Released
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Loosen Torx T30 Screws
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Remove Lower T-30 Screw
Loosen the two bolts that were hidden by the door pull handle trim cover by turning them counterclockwise with a Torx T-30 star bit screwdriver.

Set the two bolts aside in a safe place.

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T-30 Bolts Removed
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Pry Out Bottom Edge
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Plastic Pop Rivets Removed
Insert the plastic automotive panel removal pry bar tool or a large flathead screwdriver in between the bottom edge of the plastic door panel and the metal door frame.

Firmly pull out the bottom edge of the panel to release the pop rivet friction fasteners.

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Pop Rivets Removed
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Lift Off Door Panel
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Tilt Top Edge Towards You
Continue pulling out the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel.

Lift the door panel up and off the top of the metal door frame.

Tilt the top edge of the door panel towards yourself and support the bottom edge with your legs.

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Door Handle Opener Cable
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Pull Back Release Clip
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Cable Bracket Released
Locate the bracket that secures the door opener handle cable to the back side of the door panel.

Gently pull back the black plastic clip to release the bracket.

Lift the bracket off the back of the door panel.



 

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Press Release Tab
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Disconnect Power Plugs
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Plastic Door Panel Removed
Press the release tabs on the two electrical connectors before sliding the plugs straight out of their sockets.

Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place.

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Metal Door Frame
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OEM Door Speaker
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Drill Out Metal Rivets
To remove the OEM door speaker, you'll need to carefully drill out the metal rivets that hold it in place.

Use a small drill bit and then change it out for a slightly larger one until the rivets are removed.

I recommend buying new speakers from Amazon since you can verify that they will fit your vehicle and whether or not you will need a mounting bracket.

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

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Hold Panel Near Frame
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Push In Power Plugs
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Replace Electrical Connector
To replace the plastic door panel, hold it near the door frame and support the bottom edge with your legs.

Push the two power plugs in to their sockets.

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Re-Insert Cable Bracket
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Pop In Bracket
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Lower Panel On Door Frame
Line up the door opener handle cable bracket.

Re-insert the front edge first and then pop the rear edge in to place.

Lower the door panel on to the upper lip of the metal door frame.

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Pop In Friction Fasteners
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Line Up Pop Rivets
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Firmly Tap In Pop Rivets
Line up the 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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Bottom Edge Clips
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Rotate 1/4 Turn
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Both Clips Secured
Move to the bottom edge of the door panel.

Rotate the two black plastic clips 1/4 turn in either direction so that the tabs are facing left and right to securely hold the door panel in place.

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Replace Torx T-30 Screws
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Tighten T30 Clockwise
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Line Up Trim Cover
Re-insert the two bolts in to the door opener handle and tighten them in the clockwise direction with the Torx T30 star bit screwdriver until they are snug.
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Firmly Push Back In To Place
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Flush With Door Panel
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Door Panel Replaced
Line up the metal friction fasteners on the back side of the plastic trim cover over the door pull handle and firmly push it back in to place.

Check that the trim cover is flush with the door panel at every edge.

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

For more, check out my other 2012-2016 VW Beetle DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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