How to install front speakers?

[Jon11582]

I got some 6.5"s and I was wondering how to install them. I actually installed the 6x9's in the back by taking half my car apart without a problem but I cant seem to get the panel off the doors for the front speakers. I have the Crutchfield instructions for the solara, and got up to the part where you unscrew the door handle. (Its the second step, right after taking off the sail panel.) After that, it says to pry off the handle, but mine doesnt seem to pry off. Am I doing something wrong?

[TadS]

Are you talking about the bit around the opener / lock. Or the one that houses the window controls?

[geminimouse]

He's talkin about the panel around the handle and lock. I have the crutchfield instructions too, but I've only used it for the head unit and rear speakers.

[TadS]

Yeah, that one's a royal pain. I VERY gently used a couple of small flat heads to get it lose. It's hard to put back on also. Good luck, it's the hardest part of the install.

[Jon11582]

I have this problem balancing gentle with force. Should I use a whole bunch of mini flatheads from a eyeglass repair kit? or do you mean a little bigger?

I'm trying to be careful here cause frankly, the door is a very important part of the car, and the handle controls whether the door works or not.

Is it more of a prying it out? or forcing it out? I've been going with the force approach since the rear interior panel, dash, and the center console seem to come loose with the force approach.

Also, the instructions say to wedge between the lock and the handle. Does that mean in the middle of the trim? it seems like a weird place to wedge..I figured the entire handle trim has to come off...

TadS, thanks for makin me feel like I'm not the only one whos havin trouble with this.

[Mudd]

The door handle is NOT that hard. Once you get all the screws out, and start to manuver the door panel off, slide the entire door handle assembly towards the front of the car, where it will pop out. You can then manuver the door panel around it, and you're done. And you don't need any tools to get it out. Just a little patience.

[Jon11582]

I'll give it another shot when the ice melts off my car and I have about 2 hours of spare time somewhere. So slide it towards the front eh? I'll give it a try. Thanks for the insight.