Projects & Repairs --> Trim --> Door Panels --> 1998 Honda CRV

Removing Door Panels On A
1998 Honda CRV

Gaining Access To Repair Power Windows,
Door Locks, Side Mirrors and More.

(Covers Model Years 1997 to 2006)

In This Article:

Various screws are removed, the door release handle is disconnected, and then the door panel is pried away.

Related Articles:

Skill Level: 2-3 (Basic to Intermediate)

Time Taken: About 15 Minutes

By Jim Wilk, Licensed Auto Body Technician

Start:

This 1998 Honda CRV was not an easy door panel to remove. There were several hidden screws.  

 

  First, I removed the panel covering the mirror area by prying at the top. The bottom of this panel has a lip that slides under the main door panel.

 

Removing The Side Mirror

If I needed to replace the side mirror, I could disconnect the wire and unscrew the three bolts (red arrows) and remove the power mirror.

This procedure is not required for removal of the door panel.

  

 

  I then removed the screw from the top of the inside door handle.

 

Then the screw in the center of the handle.  

 

I  Last, I removed the screw at the end of the handle.

 

I started removing the inside door latch by first removing the Phillips screw .  

 

  Then I pushed the latch assembly forward until I felt it release from the door shell.

 

With a small screwdriver I released the clip holding the latch rod.  

 

  I then lifted the latch rod out of the mounting hole.

 

I pressed on the end of the wire connector (red arrow) and pulled it out of the electric door lock switch.  

 

  I carefully removed the plastic Phillips screw from the center of line up clip.

Caution: These screws will strip easily.

 

Then I was able pull out the clip.  

 

Hidden Fastener Alert:

  This is where I found the hidden screws.

With a small screwdriver I pried on a notch at the bottom of the speaker grille.

 

The red arrows show the three screws holding the speaker to the plastic door panel.

I was careful removing these screws, because I could easily damage the speaker.

  

 

  AFTER I removed the speaker, I found these three hidden screws. All three held the plastic door panel to the metal door shell.

 

  With my hands I was able to pull the plastic door panel away from the metal door shell.

Unlike other cars, there were no wires to disconnect at this point.

 

View of back side of plastic door panel.  

 

  View of metal door shell with dust cover.

 

Removing Rear Door Panel:

View of rear door.

(Note that this door is not attached to the vehicle, because I was about to install it on the car.)

  

 

  I started by removing the door latch assembly. I removed the Phillips screw first.

 

Then I slid the latch assembly forward until I felt it release from the door frame.  

 

  Using a small screwdriver I released the clip holding the latch rod. Then I was able to pull the latch rod away from the latch assembly.

 

By pressing on the wire harness tab (red arrow) I pulled the wire harness out of the electric window switch.  

 

  I then removed the screw from the rear of the armrest area.

 

Next I removed the two other screws from the armrest/pull handle. (red arrows)  

 

  With a rigid prying tool, I pried the plastic panel away from the metal door frame.

 

View of back side of the plastic door panel.  

 

  View of inside of metal door shell.

At this point the components inside the door can be serviced, such as power window motors and door locks.

 

More Info:

Tools Used:

  • Basic Mechanic's Tools
  • Door Panel Removal Tool (or Rigid Putty Knife)
  • Phillips Screwdriver
  • Small Flat Screwdriver
  • Tack Puller (or Small Prybar)

Materials Used:

  • None

Related Articles:

 

 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Written August 12, 2008