Door Panel removal?

Ok, I'm gonna make this quick.

My mom got locked out of the accord(98 base model, no power anything) at the airport and a kind cabbie with a slim-jim opened the door for her. Unfortunately in the process he seems to have snapped the cable that connects the handle on the inside of the door to the door release so now you can't open the passenger side door from the inside.

Instead of paying the probably $100 or more that the dealership would charge I'd rather just remove the door panel and replace the cable myself but I'm helms manual impaired and none of my local shops have one in stock at the moment so I was hoping someone could walk me through a door panel removal.

Thanks a lot.

generally speaking you would remove all mounting hardware - screws/bolts

then pry/pop all the clips - door panel clip tools work well:bigthumb:

lift up on the door panel as you pull off gently

Also you will want to remove/disconnect any electrical components before removing - speakers/window switches

tackle all the screws and give it a once over to make sure that all visible screws are taken out.

just take your time at this next step... use firm force to pry the clips (fingers only) but not excessive force/screwdriver or else breaking those clips are going to give you another headache. the clips are behind the panel so u will have to use ur fingers to pry them. Try from the sides first.

if something is not giving way... then stop and try to peek into the crevices and see if there is a screw that you missed out. More force at this point = more heartbreak

The side mirror cover may get in the way. my model is the 96, so not too sure on how it is on the 98.. but if the cover needs to go... again i doubt there is any screw just a plastic clip.. just use slight force to force it out. on mine, i just had to make sure that I pul it out horizontally without too much vertical or diagonal "yanking" or the plastic clip will crack.

once u are done, then just slap them back in after aligning the clips to their respective holes.

I'm not too sure, but I think if you remove the door panels in most cars, you have to break these little brackets, and then you'll have to replace them.

Originally posted by darkaccord
I'm not too sure, but I think if you remove the door panels in most cars, you have to break these little brackets, and then you'll have to replace them.
:iceslolan

Only hacks break the clips. Purchase a door panel removal tool for $10 & you wont break a single one. The whole idea is to use the proper tools for the job