2009 Vibe - Door Panel removal

[TxVibe]

I want to replace the stock speakers in my new (to me) Vibe. The instructions that I have refer to earlier models. I don't have the screws to remove. However, I did read one person just removed theirs and broke some clips in the process not doing it correctly. Can anyone offer some advice?

[star_deceiver]

Buy some replacement clips. You will break one or two, just consider it the cost of opening up the panel. If you're ever at an auto wreckers getting parts, snag a few different clips. They come in handy!

[TxVibe]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »Buy some replacement clips. You will break one or two, just consider it the cost of opening up the panel. If you're ever at an auto wreckers getting parts, snag a few different clips. They come in handy!OK, fine. But how do I actually REMOVE the panel?

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by TxVibe »But how do I actually REMOVE the panel?Here's what I found: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=24086Good luck!

[papacueball]

There are three screws you need to remove. Two are under the trim piece on the arm rest (where the power window and door lock/unlock controls are). Work a small flat blade screwdriver under the "handle" end of the trim piece, and pry up gently. Once that's out, go ahead and take the electrical connectors loose. Those screws have a hex head, but a phillips screwdriver works, too iirc. You can see one in the pic. The other is down in that hole, so you need a fairly long screwdriver. The other screw is behind a small trim piece directly under the inside door latch handle. Pull it all the way out as if you were opening the door, and pry under the trim from the back edge. Once the screw is out, the latch handle will pop out of the door panel, so there's no need to take the cables loose. Once those screws are out, I usually start at the corner where the speaker is, pulling the door panel loose. You should feel a small gap that you can get your fingertips in. I've found the platic push in clips to be quite resilient. They still work well, even after having the panels off a few times. A panel popper tool is a good investment, though, and usually cheap, too.

[TxVibe]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »Here's what I found: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=24086Good luck! Thanks, but not for an '09

[TxVibe]

Quote, originally posted by papacueball »There are three screws you need to remove. Two are under the trim piece on the arm rest (where the power window and door lock/unlock controls are). Work a small flat blade screwdriver under the "handle" end of the trim piece, and pry up gently. Once that's out, go ahead and take the electrical connectors loose. Those screws have a hex head, but a phillips screwdriver works, too iirc. You can see one in the pic. The other is down in that hole, so you need a fairly long screwdriver. The other screw is behind a small trim piece directly under the inside door latch handle. Pull it all the way out as if you were opening the door, and pry under the trim from the back edge. Once the screw is out, the latch handle will pop out of the door panel, so there's no need to take the cables loose. Once those screws are out, I usually start at the corner where the speaker is, pulling the door panel loose. You should feel a small gap that you can get your fingertips in. I've found the platic push in clips to be quite resilient. They still work well, even after having the panels off a few times. A panel popper tool is a good investment, though, and usually cheap, too.Many Thanks!!

[TxVibe]

Panel off and back on without a broken clip

[papacueball]

Glad to hear it, Tx. How do the new speakers sound?

[TxVibe]

Quote, originally posted by papacueball »Glad to hear it, Tx. How do the new speakers sound?Much crisper, and clearer than the factory, and MUCH less boomy. I was kinda bummed at first that I lost a little bass, but the quality and clarity is much nicer. Plus, get to pick up my 4 channel amp in July so I can hung until then. However, I'm concerned that these are correctly wired in phase. Since I had no way of knowing for sure I just guessed. I put Pink to Possitive, and purple to negative. Do you happen to know if this is right?

[papacueball]

Yep, that's correct according to the wire color thread stickied in the audio section. For the right side it says light green is +, and blue is -.

[TxVibe]

Quote, originally posted by papacueball »Yep, that's correct according to the wire color thread stickied in the audio section. For the right side it says light green is +, and blue is -.Thanks again. Tackling passenger door today.

[TxVibe]

Passenger door done. Nice clear sound that can get loud without distorting. Rears are still factory and they HAVE to go. So boomy compared to my new Alpines. The rears will be a higher end Kenwood, think they're eXcelons, not sure. Anyway, anything would be an improvement.