2001 Mazda MPV Driver Side Front Door Panel

2001 MAZDA MPV
117,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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STEVE MURPHY
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  • 1 POST
Greetings,
The window on the Front Door has not been working properly for some time. I can't afford to sent it for repair - it was diagnosed as a regulator problem. The switch & motor still works judging by the sound. In any event, my intent is to get inside the door and somehow rig the window so that it does not come down. I simply need to know the best way to remove the Door Panel and if there are any special tools required. Also, will I need to replace any Door Panel parts (ie- clips)?

Thanks,
Steve Murphy
Dec 11, 2009 at 11:38 AM
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BUDDYCRAIGG
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  • 2,262 POSTS
Most inner door panels are attached the same, no matter what kind of car you have.

Generally the front, bottom and rear edge of the panel is held to the metal part of the door with plastic clips. Expect to break about 25% of these when you remove it.

The center part of the panel normally has a few screws that secure it. Sometimes they will have a small cover over them, often the size of a dime. Just for cosmetic reasons.

There will almost always be 1 or 2 screws attaching the pull handle, the place you grab onto to pull the door closed.
Most of the time, there will be a screw somewhere close to lever you use to open the door.
If your armrest is not molded into the door panel, there will be screws that attach it. Often at a 45degree angle coming from the bottom.
And finally, on rare occasion, there will be some screws near the speaker in the door, if you have one.
If you have manual windows, you'll have to remove the crank handle.

Armed with this information. This is how I remove a door panel that I am not familiar with.

First I remove all of the screws that I can see, and look for anything that may be a cap that is covering a screw.

Second I start at the bottom of the panel and try to pull it away from the door. As the plastic clips start to release, I work my way up along the front and rear edge of the door. Often during this step, I notice the center part of the panel is still attached by a hidden screw.

Finally, when the panel is free all the way around, grab the panel along the front and rear edges and pull straight up to get it to release from along where it touches the glass.

I hope this helps.
Dec 12, 2009 at 11:41 PM