Kia Rio Stubborn Manual Window Handle/Crank Removal

If you have recently had the pleasure of removing the door panel on a newer Kia Rio with manual window handles, then I'm sure your gonna know what I'm talking out in this post.

What makes removing this handle so difficult is the fact the retention clip is recessed, and the handel is very tightly fit up against the door panel. It's nearly impossible to see the clip without damaging the handle or the door panel, and if you can't see the clip and can't feel the removal tool catching on anything then it becomes pretty frustrating. 

This is how I ended up removing the handle. Take your standard window handle removal tool and slightly bend the corners up. 

Slowly insert the removal tool, with both handles facing the same direction between the door panel and the plastic friction ring. At the same time you will need to turn the plastic friction ring to get it orientated in the right position to allow you to get the removal tool seated correctly against the retention clip.    

This is what will keep the handle removal tool from being seated correctly against the retention clip.

This is the position the plastic friction ring needs to be in. The only way you'll be able to tell if it's in this orientation is by feeling for the clip with the handle removal tool.

Once it is seated correctly,

Slightly turn the handle and pull off, while keeping the removal tool in place.

Now you should be able to remove a couple screws and have the panel off in no time.
Hope this helps!
- Jeremy's Car Audio Tips

Lexus SC Door Panel Removal.

I received an email recently asking about the removal of a door panel in a Lexus SC430 (Second generation). I just so happened to be doing a speaker repair on a Lexus SC this week, so I figured I would do a post on it. Although most of you may already now how to remove these door panels, this may help refresh your memory.  

 You can start by removing the triangle plastic trim in the top right corner of the door panel.

There will be two plastic panel fasteners on the inner most side of the door panel. Push the center in with a small pick tool, then pull the whole fastener out.

 Then remove the Phillips screw under the arm rest.

On the outer most side of the door, remove the two Phillips screws.

 Along the bottom of the door panel, under the rubber weather strip there will be three more Phillips screws. Remove all three.

 Remove the plastic cover behind the door handle.

 There will be one Phillips screw behind the cover that must be removed.

Taking out the power window/lock switches is a little tricky. You will want to lightly lift the edge with a thin panel removal tool. You will need to then use a small pick tool to push in the metal clip holding the plastic switch assembly in place. 

After the switch assembly is removed, extract the last Phillips screw.

You will need to use a little force, and lift up on the door panel from the edge. It should lift up and off. Once the door panel is removed you will need to disconnect several connections in order to completely free the door panel from the door. Hope this helps! 

-Jeremy's Car Audio Tips

How To Remove/Replace A Vehicle's Window Handle/Crank

If you are replacing your door speakers and or need to remove the window handles for whatever reason, here are a couple pictures and tips. It is very easy to do if you have the proper tool. If you don't have a window handle removal tool then you will need a thin pick tool or small flat head screwdriver.

As you can see the clip is very close to the handle, making it difficult to get to with a pick or screwdriver. If you don't have the handle removal tool, use a plastic panel removal tool or something that will not damage the door panel. Wedge it between the window handle and the small plastic ring that is normally between the handle and the door panel. This should give you just enough room to get a small pick or flat head screw driver in there to remove the clip, holding the handle in place.

If you have the window handle removal tool simply slide it between the handle and the small plastic ring that is between the handle and the door panel. Sometimes there will not be a plastic ring and in that case just slide it between the handle and the door panel itself. Be careful, sometimes this ring will shoot off and is very hard to find. If you don't have a replacement you won't be able to clip your handle back on unless you get another one. To avoid losing it you can put your hand or tape over the opposite side of the handle removal tool. If you do lose one, you can normally find a replacement at any car audio shop or auto parts store  
Replacement window clips 

 And that's is pretty much it!

When putting the handle back on don't forget to put the plastic ring back in place if there is one

When reinstalling the handle push the clip back into place

 and push the handle back on, you should hear it clip back into place

You can give it a little pull just to make sure it's clipped back on securely, and that's it. Here is a link if you wanna purchase the handle removal tool, it will make it a lot easier and it should only run you about  five bucks. Vehicle Manual Window Removal Tool

If you got any questions let me know ;)

-Jeremy's Car Audio Tips