How To Remove Door Panels On A 2004 Saturn Vue

Projects & Repairs --> Trim --> Door Panels --> 2004 Saturn Vue

Remove door panel on a 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue.

Removing Door Panels On A 2004 Saturn Vue

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

(Covers Model Years 2002 to 2008)

In This Article:

The side mirror cover is removed. The door release handle is disconnected, the pull handle is split apart and the door panel is lifted from the door.

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Skill Level: 2-3 (Basic to Intermediate)

Time Taken: About 30 Minutes

By Jim Wilk, Licensed Auto Body Technician

Start:

To remove the plastic door panel from this 2004 Saturn Vue, I had to remove five mounting screws, indicated by the red arrows.

Location of hidden screws in plastic door panel, 2004 Saturn Vue.

Remove side view mirror cover 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue.

Before removing the door panel I first had to pry off the side view mirror cover.

I pried at the top area first...

... then I unhooked the cover from the bottom.

The red arrows point to the plastic tabs that hook into the door panel below.

Disconnect speaker on door panel 2004 Saturn Vue.

Using a small flat screwdriver I pried up on the lock tab on the wiring connector to the speaker...

...and pulled the connector from the speaker.

Remove speaker wire mirror cover 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue.

Removal of Side View Mirror

Disconnect wire for side view mirror, 2004 Saturn Vue.

Then with the small screwdriver I removed the wire connector to the side view mirror.

If I needed to replace the side view mirror, I would use a 10mm socket to remove the mounting nuts (red arrows).

Caution: Have someone hold the side view mirror. If it falls, it can cause damage to the outside of the door.

Side view mirror mounting nuts, 2004 Saturn Vue.

Back To Removal of Door Panel:

Remove hidden screw in mirror area 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue

Behind the side view mirror cover there was screw that I removed with a Phillips screwdriver.

Using a small flat screwdriver, I pried up on the flat area near the small screw cover, which is located behind the inside door latch.

Hidden screw inside door latch area 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue.

Remove inside door latch screw 2004 Saturn Vue.

I unscrewed the mounting screw with a Phillips screwdriver.

Then I pulled the inside door handle away from the panel, so I could reach behind it.

Using a flat screwdriver I pried open the lock tab for the rod clip.

Disconnect door latch rod, 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue.

This is different from most cars, where a trim ring is removed and the door release handle stays attached to the door.

Disconnect door lock rod from clip, 2004 Saturn Vue.

Then I pulled the metal rod from the plastic clip on the back of the manual door lock button.

I used the same method to remove the metal rod from the inside door release handle.

Remove lower door latch rod 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue.

Disconnect electric door lock wire 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue.

With the small flat screwdriver, I removed the wire from the power door lock switch.

To remove the next two mounting screws I had to split apart the inside door pull handle.

Using the flat screwdriver, I pushed in on the lock tab to release the outer handle...

Hidden lock tab to split apart inside pull handle cover, 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue.

Split pull handle cover, 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue.

...splitting apart the pull handle.

The door pull handle being separated.

Cover removal, inside door pull handle, 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue.

Back of inside door pull handle cover, 2004 Saturn Vue.

View of back of pull handle cover. The other part stays with the door panel.

I used a Phillips screwdriver to remove the upper mounting screw.

Hidden mounting screw inside pull handle 2004 Saturn Vue.

Removal mounting screw inside pull handle 2004 Saturn Vue.

Then I removed the lower screw.

I removed the Phillips screw below the speaker on the bottom of the door panel.

Remove lower screw below speaker in door panel, 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue.

Lifting door panel from metal door frame 2004 Saturn Vue.

I was now able to push the plastic door panel up and unhook it from the metal door frame.

Caution: This panel has plastic hooks molded into the back of the door panel... there are no snap clips that are used on many vehicles.

View of back side of plastic door panel.

The built-in plastic hooks are located mostly around the edges of the panel.

View of back of plastic door panel 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue.

View of inside metal door frame 2002 to 2008 Saturn Vue.

View of metal door frame with dust cover still in place.

If necessary, the plastic sheet dust cover can be peeled away to reach the equipment inside the door.

More Info:

Tools Used:

Basic Mechanic's Tools
10mm Socket
Small Flat Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Tack Puller

Materials Used:

None

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Written December 9, 2010