How to take the Inner Panel off a Closed Door
 

...and don't say "open it" lol.

Previously diagnosed on the forum: My car has had one of the levers inside the door pulled off so that, while the doors will unlock, the handles will not open the door. The reps at the local Honda center confirmed this is probably due to an aggressive attempt to slim jim the door.

The problem is, they said they can't get the inner panel off a closed door and will probably have to tear it up to get inside; add to that they want to charge me $200 for the job.

So I'm appealing to the forums first - any way of getting a door panel off a door that won't open?

Which door? What year Civic?

Like I said in your other thread about this, first remove the seat(s) so you have space to work on the bottom of the door from inside the car.

Like you would for a normal door panel removal, remove the window crank (if equipped) and all the screws that might be found around the armrest, inside handle, and power window controls (if equipped).

You'll need some sort of "L" shaped tool to reach into the crack and grab the edge of the panel and pull it away from the door. Start at the bottom back corner and work around. When you have 3 sides free, lift up the panel and unhook it from the top edge.

Worst case you end up mangling the inner panel and need to buy a new one. That's still better than a door that won't open. And you have the pride of mangling it yourself rather than paying someone $200 to do it.

And THAT right there is the joy of Do It Yourself. You mess it up, it is your fault... but at least you weren't paying someone ELSE to make the exact same mistake :)

Good luck with the door. I had to do the same on the shop truck last week. Thank goodness the older GM's are easy to get into... likely easier then a civic. Good luck!

Driver's door, '98 Honda Civic LX.

MK378 - Good point! I remembered what you said about taking the seat out first. What sort of L-shaped tool are you talking about?

Anything that's L shaped.

Anything can be a tool. Just find something L shaped. All you need is something that can get under the door panel so you can pry the clips off.

What about the L shaped blocks from tetris? Will those work?

^^See? Stuart is also a tool.

if you can get the window down, there is a chance you can move it out of the way and try to get at the door handle that way, i did this 1 time on my eclipse, but never on a civic. I would at least try that before tearing apart anything, if that doesnt work then tear it apart ;-)

Is the child lock on? Is that why you can't open it from the inside?

I ask because a piece inside my door handle broke and child lock was bumped, essentially locking the door from both sides.

I also ask because you have a 1998. I've had a 97 and a 99, and both back doors on both cars busted so it could only open from the inside (unless the stupid child lock is on).

edit: never mind i guess, since it's the front you're having a problem with....