Hello all,

I'm new to this forum. I am looking to install an aftermarket stereo in my 2000 SSEi but for the life of me I can't figure out how to remove the door panels. I used the search feature on this website but I could only find information up to a 1998 model. Any suggestions as to how to get past the U-shaped plastic connectors that hold the door panel on? Thanks in advance...

One of our members pulled apart her door on a 2000 SSEi last week. I'm sure she'll be able to help you out. Apparently its not that tough. Hopefully someone will chime in with some experience.

Welcome to the club

Here is TaylorD'* cardomain page.

http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...2&cat=25&val=1

Damn right, for audio install and the like TaylorD is your man for the job....

Go for it Taylor

You guys make me
I've taken my door panel off before on my 01 ssei FormulaSSEi

I always like to start a project on the passenger side and low if possible, just incase I mess something up I don't sit right next to it and others might not notice. Anyways there actualy is NO TRICK, just PULL and LIFT. Couldn't believe it, You can pull off the door panel with no tools. It makes it easier if you have a panel popper, but I just used a flat head screw dirver just to pry a space for my fingers.

PROCDURE for door panel removal on +00 ssei
(There are NO SREWS attaching the door panel )
1. Start on bottom edge of door on the side closer to the door hinges.
2. lift up bottom edge with panel puller or flat head and get you fingers under there.
3. LIFT up and PULL out
4. work from inside edge (highe side) to outside edge pulling up and out popping out each clip.
5. Be careful, don't pull violently hard and break something. Go slow the whole door is plastic.
6. Once you have most the clips out , disconect the wiring harness'* for the widows and stuff before you try to walk away with the door panel. ( drivers side has 2 harness'es to disconect)

Weird thing about these cars is that the speaker attaches to the door panel and not the door itself, Don't know why. My 96 Aurora doors where like this too. There'* probably 14-18 clips holding the door on. Check them out in the picture below.



Removal of tweeter
1. Pull up and out ( 1 clip)
2. That'* it.

Couldn't belive the whole door can just be pulled off. Tweeter pod pict


My next plan is to angle the tweeters some. This will help front Imaging big time. the Pass side isn't too bad but the drivers side needs to be higher because the sound bounces off the rising hump of the drivers gauges. looks great but not optimal for sound quality competiors. Going to be a fiberglass project. I wanted another little triangle piece to work on but GM only sells that tweeter pod with the speaker in it for $49 per side. I don't want that POS stock tweeter speaker, just the plastic housing, "Not from GM you wont." says the parts guy. :?

Anyways hope this helps many people in the future!

I basically agree with TaylorD, but my experience was slightly different. I will just tell you my experience and you can pick between the two where necessary. I took apart the rear door, and Taylor may be giving directions for the front...that may be why there is any discrepency.

First off, I had the tool that is made specifically to pop the plastic tabs holding the door on (it made it immensely easier so if you can get your hands on one, do. It is just a flat almost crowbar-like device...like a wide, thick fork with only two prongs). If you have the tool, all you do is start in the bottom corner of the door and slide the tool under and wiggle it arond until you find a plastic tab. Then you remove the tool and place one prong on each side of the tab and use the door for leverage to pop it out. They come straight out so there is really no reason that you should break any with the tool (if you don't have it you are much more likely to break some, but do your best). Also, with the tool it is easiest to get them out with a quick tap to the tool...slow pressure doesn't seem to do it so don't be afraid to give it a good whack to pop the tabs.

You do this all the way around (the top corners are hardest) until the door is loose on all sides. Now something will be holding it on right behind the arm rest...it is just a lip that the door rests on...just lift up and then out and it will disconnect.

Now you have to disconnect the speaker and you're in business.

Now, getting it back on was a bit tricky for me...you have to look right behind the arm rest on the plastic door panel and you will find two metal clips that were hooked into the door...you have to remove them to get it to seat right again. They have to be put back on the lip on the inside of the door itself and then you can push the plastic panel straight back on (they should click into place and the armrest should not wiggle at all when you're done..I had to try a couple times to get it to all seat right). And don't worry about trying to get the door panel up under the window trim...if you push the door straight on you will have no problem pushing the edge under.

Good luck. It'* really not hard at all...just take your time.

Techinfo Worthy...both processes.

Thanks to TaylorD and Hailey on this.

Correct you are Hailey, I only did the front doors. Didn't touch the rear doors. Yah, the panel popper tool is helpful on these type of clips, I've used that tool before to pop of the rear decklid liner (where my mirror is now on black carpet) I broke 3 clips with that tool, had better odds with a big fat srewdriver on the wider clips. I try not to break'em, but almost always 1 breaks. So now I just know the parts guy at my pontiac dealer and re-buy what ever clips I broke, they cost between $0.35-.85. not too bad. Try not to break'em.

Good luck with the clips to whoever tries to take their door panel(*) off. On the doors use the tool if you can.

$0.35-$0.85?! My dealer wanted $3.50 a piece for the ones for the door! I hate my dealer....grrrr. :?