Questionhow do i remove the door panel from my 2002 santa fe? i have removed the hidden screws but i cant get the panel off is there a special tool for the clips?
AnswerHi Tom,
A door panel removal tool works best, but if you have a stiff putty knife about 4" long and 1 1/4" wide it will work if you are careful. Start at the bottom of the panel and work your way around. Insert the blade all the way in between the panel and the door with the edge of the blade right next to the plastic fastener. Then pull the tool handle away from the door slowly. It will take a bit of pressure to get the first one or two clips to release.
The other steps I follow to remove this panel are as follows:
1. Remove the screw in the trim behind the door handle and then remove the trim piece.
2. Remove the door release cable from the handle.
3. Remove the door handle mounting bolts and then remove the handle.
4. Remove the three door panel mounting screws: 2 on the back edge of the panel and 1 in the door pull cup.
5. Separate the panel edges from the door. (see above) Lift the panel up starting with the back edge first to free the top lip of the panel from the door.
6. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the switches and light. (You may need a very small flat blade screw driver to depress the locking tabs on the switch connectors.)
