How do I remove the front door panels on a 1997 GMC suburban?
- Thread starter David
- Start date
Molson02536
New member
The door panel is held on by plastic push pins, that lock into place when you push the panel on. GM makes a special tool to unlock the pins (of course), but I've done this very job without the special tool.
First remove the arm rest (screws) and the plastic molding around the door handle. If you have electric windows and door locks, I think the molding around them just clips on to the surface of the panel, but can be pry'd loose using a small screwdriver. For manually operated windows, if you push the panel in slightly, you can see with a flashlight the circlip that retains the entire crank. The circlip can be removed by pushing it in with a screwdriver, then the crank will pop off.
Now the hard part, you have to carefully locate the plastic push pins and pry them loose by slipping a large scredrive under the panel and gently prying them loose. They sometimes will pop off easily, you may break a few, but they are easily replaced.
Once they are all loose, you have to pull the panel out partially at the bottom, then push the whole panel upward to get the panel freed from the top of the door.
Here is a link with pictures to help you get the job done, good luck.
http://www.bodyshopzone.com/archives/trim/door_panels/Chevy/CK1500_1998/dp_remove_chevy.html