How to Replace Front Door Panel 2010-17 Chevy Equinox
Created on: 2018-08-22
How to repair, install, fix, change or replace a door panel. Door panels need to be removed to access the inside components of the door, like the window regulator or exterior door handles on 12 Chevy Equinox
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step 1 :Removing the Door Panel
- Pop off the door handle trim with a flat blade screwdriver
- Remove the trim behind the door pull with a flat blade screwdriver
- Remove the two 8mm bolts from behind the door pull
- Remove the 7mm bolt from behind the door handle
- Pry out the door panel with a door panel clip tool
- Disconnect the electrical harness
- Remove the door handle cable
- Disconnect the automatic door lock switch
- Lift the door panel up and off
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step 2 :Reinstalling the Door Panel
- Connect the two wiring harnesses
- Connect the door handle cable
- Lift the door panel into place
- Push in the door panel clips
- Tighten the 7mm bolt behind the door handle
- Tighten the 8mm bolts behind the door pull
- Press the trim piece on behind the door pull
- Press the trim piece on behind the door handle
Tools needed
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Flat Blade Screwdriver
Phillips Head Screwdriver
8mm Socket
7mm Socket
Ratchet
Hi, I’m Mike from 1A Auto. We’ve been selling auto parts for over 30 years!
Hi guys, it's Sue from 1A Auto. Today we're working on this 2012 Chevy Equinox. Where we have multiple listings for parts of this vehicle, why don't you go to the web page and check out what we have for your car at 1AAuto.com.
To remove this driver's side panel, you want to hold the inner handle open, and look down the corner. There's a little slot where you can put a small screwdriver, like this pocket screwdriver. Pop it and out it will come. There's one mounting screw, and the other section's down here under the handle. This one is trickier for the angle. We have two eight millimeter head, socket head, down below, and one seven millimeter socket head by the inner handle.
Now you're going to take a door panel clip tool and locate it around the edge here. You'll feel the clips, pry, and it'll pop open. Then go all the way up around. Lift it straight up. Now you're going to need to disconnect the electrical harness by pinching this and pulling up on the blue latch. We're going to disconnect the cable off the inner door handle. You do that by pulling, sliding, right through the eyelet. Now we have to remove the automatic door lock switch. You just light pry on one side, pry on the other.
Now we're going to reinstall the driver's door panel. First thing I'm going to do is, guide the power lock switch back through. Let's not put it in upside down. No one will be happy about that one. Just guide it in. It'll click right in. The factory harness click right on that. Then I'm going to put in the main harness. Slide it right in, pull the blue tab down, and once it's guided, lock it.
We're going to install the handle cable. You can notice the slot right there. That's where this ball of the cable's going to go in first. So we're going to guide it in like that, pull it around, and it goes right into the lock. Here we have the manual door lock. Push it down, guide it right into that hole. I like to repull it back up because I don't want to lock myself out yet. Crazy things have happened.
Bring the plastic up to the top of the window guide, push down firmly, and you'll see all the guide pins have lined up. Give it a good hit. So I'm going to reattach my two mounting bolt screws down here. This is an eight millimeter head socket. I'm going to put in the door handle screw before I tighten the bottom. This is now a seven millimeter socket. Then I'm going to go ahead and start snugging them all down.
Now I can reinstall the plastic covers. I'll do the handle one first. See the cutout? That is the way to remove it and the back clips. They're just straight push ons. No angle. Line it up, clip it in. The bottom one, the key way to take it out, goes on the bottom, and you'll see a slotted upward clip on the top so up and clip in.
Thanks for watching. Visit us at 1AAuto.com for quality auto parts, fast and free shipping, and the best customer service in the industry.
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