Anyone removed their door panels in the 2009 yet?
I want to try and remove the cover around the door handle to see if I can straighten it out a bit *(After would-be thieves attempted to pry it off), and am hoping I can get at it by removing the interior door panel.

(*Looks like the ***Holes tried to pop it off with a screwdriver, bending up the bottom and scratching paint off the door. I used my touchup paint to cover the damage to the door itself. Dealer said to replace and paint the Handle cover would cost me about $450.00, so I'm going to try to fix it up a bit myself and spend the $$$ on an alarm ).

 

There are two screws at the bottom of the front door which need to come out, then one hidden behind a cover behind the door handle. The cover pops off from the side nearest the handle. I used a cotter pin puller to get mine off. You will also need to remove the window switch panel and unhook the wires. The panel then should lift up and off enough to get to the mirror connections.

It's pretty straight forward, except that hidden screw behind the interior door handle.

 

Well, I've pulled/pried on the little black cover behind the door panel almost to the point of breaking it and it won't come out. It flexes toward the center. Could it be glued into place?
Is there a pin in the center of it that holds it in?

 

I've not removed my '09 door panel yet...but there are usually screws near the inside door panel "pull" area as well. This is to so when you pull the door closed it doesn't pull the panel off. They are generally located under the window switch area and under a false bottom panel in the door pull area as well. There are also two round rubber plugs in the door end - near the latch area that cover screws you must remove to remove the exterior door handle.

Hope this helps - sorry I couldn't be more precise...

 

Yeah, I finally got the cover behind the door lever off, just had to force it.
For the record, there is a fourth screw in the "handle" area (where you'd grip the door to pull it closed) under a small plastic cover that pops up.
Looked like there were two nuts holding the exterior door handle trim in place.
I was able to loosen them, but not get them fully removed.
I was able to file the damaged area of the handle cover down a little bit so it doesn't look quite as bad, but it's still noticeable.

The alarm is getting installed on Tuesday.

 

Sorry about that fourth screw! I was going from memory and it just ain't what it used to be.:o The one behind the handle was the one that really frustrated me.

 

Don't even worry about it. I figured there was one there since that little panel was there.

 

Sorry to hear about those jerks.

Have you checked with your insurance company?
Something like this is covered under your comprehensve and should only be around a $50 deductible and doesn't raise your rates like a collision does.
Be sure to tell them about the alarm too cuz it can reduce your rates too.

Good luck!