Dodge Magnum door panel removal

Answer 1

Gently pry the TWO screw covers off. One is round, it is behind the inside the interior latch (you grab to make door release). The second is rectangular and below the grab handle that you pull on to shut the door. Unscrew the two screws behind the covers, then unscrew the screws at the bottom of the door (these are hard to see because they are very low.) The screws are all phillips bit #2 and the same length (thank you GM) so you don't have to keep track of which one goes where, just don't lose any.

Next comes the specialty fasteners...

The top left and top right fasteners hold the upper trim on which usually doesn't need to come off. If your car is like mine, the door panels are two-tone with the darker part on top and you won't have to mess with the pop-fasteners in the top half. The front doors have three lighter-color pop-fasteners each. If you look closely, you will notice there is a circle inside each. Gently push on the inner circle with something like a wood dowel (hard, but not prone to damaging soft plastic) until it pops in slightly and releases the tension. CAREFULLY wiggle a small flat-head screwdriver under the outer circle then GENTLY pry them up. These are reusable as long as you are careful and don't force them.

Now comes the fun part. There are three hidden "Christmas tree" fasteners at the top that you need to pop free. Slowly pull the door panel out and slightly up using the door handle. Work your fingers between the top of the panel and door on one side and gently but firmly pull out until one of the fasteners pops free, then do the other side, then put your hands behind both sides and pull to pop the middle one. When all three are released, you will have to hold the panel in the air close to where it was before you popped the clips (it's easiest to hold the handle) while you do the following:

1-Release the red door handle release clip and then the rod that it holds in place. The clip rotates out and is retained on the door panel, if it comes off, you broke it. The rod lifts straight up easily.

2-Pull out a small retainer that holds the wiring harness to the panel. The retainer is stuck to the wiring harness and will not come off.

3-Push the release tab that secures the connectors to the switches and pull the connectors out while the tab is pushed in. (One at a time.)

The "circle" clips can be reset by pushing the center post back out and some of it sticks out. Before you put it all back together, play with them to find the point where the assembly fits in the hole. When you reassemble the door, just push the post back in to the point that they are flush (like before you started this adventure.)

You will probably need to buy an "upholstery clip removal tool" to remove the "christmas tree" fasteners from the door. Every auto parts store carries this, they look like a snake tongue with a handle and they are usually about $10. I have never needed this tool to remove clips on any other car I have taken apart (20 or so), but the clips in the Magnum are TIGHT and will break if you don't use this tool to remove them. Follow the instructions on the tool to remove the clips. The clips have to be inserted into notches on the panel to put the panel back on the door. You will see where the "button" head of the clips slide and click into little notches on the panel.

Other than putting the Christmas tree clips into the panel first, assembly is reverse of removal. Take your time, don't forget to plug the wire harnesses back in to the switches and you should be OK!