02 Tahoe Door panel removal

[grp]

I had a 99 suburban and removal of the drivers door panel was fairly simple. I just got an 02 Tahoe and feel like I am going to break something as I tried to free the panel from the door. Is the panel held to the door with plastic retainers and should it come off by prying? I have a blown speaker and am trying to get access to the speaker. Thanks, GRP

[swp5767]

If you break any retainers, any autoparts store will carry them. There is usually a proper pry tool for removing the panel with out damage to the retainers. There again, a autoparts store should carry that cheap.

[grp]

Two bolts by the door handle and then pull straight up on the door panel. There are no clips, just L shaped retainers which release by pulling the door panel upward. I almost broke the retainers by trying to force them straight out. Easy to remove the panel.

[swp5767]

What did you find when you got the panel off?

[grp]

The main speaker was blown. Lots of wires to disconnect when removing the panel, but they are easy to reconnect. The main speaker is 6.5 inch and has molded plastic clips which anchor it to the door. I bought replacement speakers off ebay out of a 04 Tahoe. The front speakers are 4 ohm and I ended up getting two 8 ohm speakers. I replaced the one blown speaker and it works fine, but the 4 ohm speaker is quite a bit louder than the 8 ohm speaker (resistance difference?). My options now are to get another 4 ohm peaker or replace the other original speaker with the other 8 ohm speaker so the volume balances out.

It was much easier to remove the panel on this vehicle versus the pre 2000 new body style suburbans/tahoes/yukons.

GRP