front door panels 2008 Odyssey

Anyone have any info/tips/links on how to safely remove the door
panels in my 2008 Odyssey without destroying them? Would like to
replace the terrible factory speakers, back ones are easy, front ones
are a bit more involved. Have a hunch it will involve lots of
snapping and swearing if I go at it cold. Have searched net with no
luck, hoping one of you nice folks will have maybe gone through the
process.

thanks!
mick

 

I don't know about the Ody specifically, but the usual sort of fasteners are
released by pulling. Slipping a table knife under the panel, starting at or
near the bottom, move the blade until it hits an obstacle. That will be one
of the fasteners. Keep the blade against the fastener and pop it loose with
a motion that is mostly pulling near the edge of the panel and with leverage
as necessary. Work your way around the edges and across the bottom that way.

Look in the door handle area for screws; there is usually one but could be
two. There are usually two in the pull handle, too. If you had manual
windows the crank would have to be removed, but I believe power windows are
standard in the Ody. Once the panel is loose, roll the window all the way
down and you should be able to unhook the panel from the top. That part can
require patience and persistence or it can go smoothly.

Reassembly is the reverse, but take care to line up the fasteners. They are
actually easier to damage by trying to snap them when they are not in
position than they are trying to get them apart. You will have to smack them
with the heel of your hand in most cases.

Mike

 

Make sure you are working in a heated shop, anything less than 50F
(10C) ambient will increase your chances of snapping those plastic
tabs.

 

Thanks for the help, will warm it up in the shop tonight and tackle it
tomorrow.

Cheers!