I'm trying to resolve a rattle in the drivers side front door. I previously tried to remove the door panel, but got to a point where I wasn't sure whether I just needed more "oomph" to finish pulling it off, or whether there were some screws I couldn't see. I have done a forum search but didn't find a DIY on removing the door panel, and maybe I just didn't use the correct keywords. Any suggestions?

Note that I've found a TSB for the door rattle, and it appears to address exactly what is happening in my G35. I'm eager to get started, just don't want to screw up my door panel in the process.

 

there are two screw/bolts and one bolt (if my memory serves me well at this time) then you have to pop out the tabs along the bottom of the door and work your way up. once you get the 3/4 of it off, lift up the top and you'll see the handle and lock cables... it is simple to figure out how they disconnect.. once you have them off the door panel will be separated from the frame of the door

 

pop off silver strip on inner door handle on armrest, theres a screw there.

 

wow, yeah sorry about that...totally forgot that step. use a reg. screwdriver and CAREFULLY insert it into the center of the bottom of the strip.. that should be all

 

Thanks! I have located the screw under the silver strip (I would not have found that one on my own....). Kneeling down and looking up at the bottom of the armrest there is a small pre-formed notch on the silver strip. It's perfect for a small screwdriver. After I pried up the strip a bit, the strip popped off easily by hand.

I had previously located a second screw under a small plastic cover located in front of the interior door handle. Does this only hold the door handle assembly in place, or does it hold the door panel, or both?

Based on filanj's comments, it appears that there may be a couple more screws/bolts that I need to account for. Approximately where are these located?

 

There's 2 inside that silver strip and the one inside the handle. Pull the bottom and sides away from the door and then lift the panel up off of the window edge.

 

I finally tackled both front doors yesterday. Started with the passenger side. After removing the three screws, I pulled the door panel off with a bit too much force. What I didn't realize is that I had inadvertantly pulled the inner door latch cable from it's guide. I figured that out later when my wife and I went out to dinner, and I had to walk around to her side of the car to let her out.

This morning I put the cable back onto it's guide. Just snapped back in.

After applying lots of felt tape in all the areas referenced in the TSB, the door rattle remains. Oh well, back to square one.

My thanks for providing the necessary "tricks" to remove the door panel. It is rather easy once you know where everything is.

 

try tightening the bolts in the door frame next time