Here is a step by step process for pulling the FRONT door panels.

Tools needed:

SMALL flat-bladed screwdriver

#2 Phillips, medium-long

Panel popper tool and electrical tape

Step 1: Pull mirror sail by hand:

 

Step 2: Pull the trim panel behind the door handle. CAREFUL! It's easy to scratch, and esy to see after.



Then pull the rubber sheet in the armrest grab-handle:

 

Step 3: Pull the Phillips screws behind the trim panel:


... and the rubber sheet:

 

Step 4: PASSENGER DOOR ONLY!

Pull the trim insert from the pass grab handle.

DO NOT DO IT THIS WAY! This left a mark I can still see (haven't softened it out with the heat gun yet). There is a slot for prying at the forward edge... my bad.



Pull the bottom straight out or you break the tab at the bottom (see below):

This reveals two screws, one at the top and another deep inside the round hole at the base of the opening.

 

Step 5:

Window Switch panel removal.

NOTE: Most cars don't require this. The first TSX I disassembled I got away without having to do this. The second one (mine) I had the pass switch come apart when I tried to reach up between the door panel and the door to unplug the harness! With contacts, the mux PCB with the microprocessor and the relays, and the case all spilling onto the floor. TAKE THE SWITCH OUT FIRST!

Passenger Side: Pry at the front edge. There is a slot here to pry in.





Then pry up the rear:



Driver Side: Pry up at the aft edge, I think there is a slot there to pry in:


Then GENTLY pry around the perimeter of the switch. I went very slowly to avoid marks, and I succeeded.



Here is the D switch coming out - note the two plugs F and R:



And here is how much slack you have after:

 

Step 6: Use the panel popper to pop the door panel off.

Wrap the panel popper in electrical tape to prevent scratches in the paint.



Here is your first target - the white Xmas tree just aft of the speaker grille. If you simply pull hard on the panel without popping this Xmas tree, you can break the welds that fasten the pocket to the panel.



My early-production TSX had bad welds from the factory, s there was very little plastic in the weld area. Once I fixed these with a butane soldering torch, all my pass door rattles went away!

 

Step 7: After you pop out the fasteners (along the bottom - there are like 4-5) lift the door panel straight up and over the lock rod.

Hold onto the panel with one hand. Reach over the top of the panel with the other hand to unplug the lock switch, and to snap the white half-collar off of the door handle cable so you can remove the door handle cable from the handle.

Sorry there are no pics of this part - I ran out of hands!

Now make sure all the Xmas trees came off with the panel - if any stayed in the door, pop them out now and re-insert them into their slots on the door panel.

"Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly" : )

Next, the speaker spacers.

 

anyway we can get those two pics fixed? i gotta get the door panel off to install the window modulators and i'd like all the help i can get since i suck at shit like this.

 

buy a service manual it is your best friend.

 

I'll be honest with you, there isn't much more to know. There are nothing more than these plastic white clips around the edge of the door. Just use the method of the large flathead wrapped in electrical tape to pry the plastic away. Once you get it far enough away, you'll see the clips.

Keep your TSX in the sun for a little while to warm it up. Plastic is always more plyable warm, so you'll be less likely to break anything.

 

thanks for the tip moda!

 

You can augment the above information with the pictures from Chris Horne's website. Check out this thread in the DIY section:

https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-video-electronics-navigation-22/removing-front-door-panels-step-step-pictures-tsx-274892/

 

Get this tool and the job would be much easier. Just squeeze and the clip pops right off without damage.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/KD-3705.html

 

^^ That could have saved me 3 broken clips.

 

one more tool to add to my custom install toolbox.

 

Nice. That went on my list of things to buy.

 

3 clips @ $6 ea. ..... the tool is well worth it! specially if you do it more than once!

 

You guys should also consider this set of tools as well. They are great for removing panels and interior trims. Of course, I have a set already.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/AP-4505.html

 

Nice tools, but these guys have some crazy fees. If you want to pay via credit card they charge you an extra fee. GEESH!! Great tools, but not sure I like the way they do business. I was about to order this stuff.

 

Yeah, that's why I usually wait until I have a few things to buy (over $99), then order them at the same time with free shipping and no fee. If you request for their catalog, it's actually not hard to find a few things you want. They have a HUGE inventory of tools.

 

Yeah, I couldn't stop picking stuff out to order. Tons of Meguir's products and such. Just a great site.