Tomorrow I am going to remove my door panel to gain access to my side mirror because I don't think it was put back together correctly but I have to fix it. I read the tech article and it seemed like alot to do just to get behind the door panel. Is there an easier way or no? I will be on a time limit tomorrow so I need to get this door panel off and quick so I can fix my mirror. ( The mirror was siliconed back together from previous owner and wasn't put back into the door tight enough.) But, if you guys have any advice or shortcuts you could tell me that would be great.
Thanks.

Oh yeah it'* a 1997 SSEi

Sure,
I'll assume it'* your driver door just so i can tell you better where things are.
First you have to remove all the screws. There are two visible screws in the bottom right of the door, one thats hidden behind the plastic piece at the top of your door handle, you'll have to pry the right bottom side up with a screw driver(it'* one of two sides that are short in length) and there'* one screw behind that, now here comes the tricky part, the long horizontal light on the door is really fagile and there are two screws behind it. |_________)<-- looks like that now if you slip a screw driver behind the short flat side, you can push a clip in torwards the side of the light and it will pop out. Now disconnect the wires for that and to the power window controler in the peice that was at the top of the door handle if you have one.
There are two screws behind that long light they you have to undo. Now theres the handle. theres a slot in the peice behind the handle for a flat head screw driver to fit in and pop it out. behind that there is a troque star screw, you can usually get it with some needle nose pliers if you don't have the bit. After that'* undone, manuver the plastic piece that was around the handle, off from the handle and the manual door lock button. Now as far as the top piece of plastic on the top of the door, i'm not too sure. I've broke all mine underleath where it was stapled to the door. You can't tell because the top is not broken and still attached to the actual door. once everything is back together you won't be able to tell. But hopefully someone else can tell you the real wat to do it. Now all that'* holding your door panel in is a bunch of little plastic screw looking things. Just gently pry the door panel off and pull the panel from the top plastic piece. There'* the speaker wire, powerwindow,powerlock wires still atached to the door and should be running through a plastic cover that went between the panel and the door. There all easy to unclip, just look at them till you figure it out. then just pull back the plastic and have fun with those two 10 mm bolts, there a PITA to get to.
Hope i wasn't too confusing.

here'* a 3 minute paint visual aid

Cool, thanks. It is the passenger side, sorry. But at least have a picture now other than just reading.

I like the grill on your car. I wish I could get one like that for mine by I got that wierd hood.

I found doing the black trim piece on the handle is easier on top, i dunno.

Do it when it'* warm. Lots of plastic clips like to break on these cars... Cold only makes it worse.

The 97 SSEI doesn't have the 2 screws behind the the door rectangle light.. it'* one bolt behind there instead.



And there'* no 2 screws around the speakers..

If you really don't have the time.. I would suggest to wait.. and I can't amphasize.. slowly work around to get those pressure plug things out.. and then lift,shake and tilt the door panel up.. the black piece trim around does lift up with the door panel

I've pm'd Bill in regards to this info as FYI for the techinfo but he'* been busy huffin Toulene hee hee Jokes boss man.. both our engines has ingested water.. lmao

I just fixed the passenger door mirror on my 97 SSEi also. You will need a 10mm wrench(very small), and small hand to get up into the door to tighten the mirror (2 nuts). I had to cut the plastic right behind the speaker to use as the access spot to reach the mirror nuts.

There are indeed 2 bolts (under the top door handle location, and behind long light under door handle), and one behind the door release lever. The manual door lock piece is a real b*tch also.

that is true.. I find that if I put it out far enough for me to turn it sideways I can fit it thru the hole on the panel while that piece is still attatched to the door lock tumbler rod

That thing is tricky, but the easiest way to do it is just have the metal rod poke through, and screw the plastic rim in, then slip the plastic manual door lock *** through the hole along the metal rod and snap it agianst the rod by pushing the door lock *** agianst the rim backing where it will sit.

yes, on is alot easier than off.

just make sure you don't break that piece. I had to repair both sides. the one screw hole from the pocket piece isn't very strong. mine won't break ever again after I got through with them.