What tool did you use to remove cover plate behind interior door latch handle ???

[Rongold]

Hi All,

I need to remove my driver's door interior panel in order to install a keypad and plug it into the existing harness inside the door. There is a bolt behind a small black plastic plate behind the interior door latch handle that needs to be removed. I have numerous trim tools and mini screwdrivers, but for the life of me, I cannot get that plastic plate to snap out. What have you used to remove that plastic block off plate ???

Thanks,


RON

 

[UNBROKEN]

I basically just sits there. Just flip it out.

 

[STTuner]

Hi All,

I need to remove my driver's door interior panel in order to install a keypad and plug it into the existing harness inside the door. There is a bolt behind a small black plastic plate behind the interior door latch handle that needs to be removed. I have numerous trim tools and mini screwdrivers, but for the life of me, I cannot get that plastic plate to snap out. What have you used to remove that plastic block off plate ???

Thanks,


RON

Those little covers can be a pain. I usually use a super small plastic trim pick or a tiny flathead wrapped in tape and pry from the bottom edge first. They’re clipped in pretty tight and feel like they’re gonna break before they pop out. On my Ford Explorer ST I had better luck using a flashlight and coming in from the side instead of straight on.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Those little covers can be a pain. I usually use a super small plastic trim pick or a tiny flathead wrapped in tape and pry from the bottom edge first. They’re clipped in pretty tight and feel like they’re gonna break before they pop out. On my Ford Explorer ST I had better luck using a flashlight and coming in from the side instead of straight on.

Dunno what car you’re talking about but the ST has two tiny clips that barely even grab. I literally just pulled the handle back and flipped it out with my fingernail. It takes almost no force to pop them off.

 

[Cdubya]

Right angle pick. There's a U shaped opening for it.

 

[STTuner]

Been a while since I pulled mine apart. Those clips really are lighter than they look once you know where to grab it from.

 

[Rongold]

Dunno what car you’re talking about but the ST has two tiny clips that barely even grab. I literally just pulled the handle back and flipped it out with my fingernail. It takes almost no force to pop them off. View attachment 35640

Thanks for the picture. I wish mine looked like yours---It would be easy to remove with that little notch in it to put a 90 degree pick in, but mine are totally different. Here's a picture of mine---No notch.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Just stick a pick in the gap and twist it. It’ll pop right off.

 

[Rongold]

Just stick a pick in the gap and twist it. It’ll pop right off.

Well, you were right about the pick. I ordered a miniature pry bar set and a miniature pick set from Amazon. The pry bar set didn't have the right shape pry bar to get in between the block off plate and the door panel, but I was able to get one of the picks behind the plate. Just like you said--One twist and 2 of the clips released, and I repositioned it and the third one popped right out. Here's a picture of the plate out of the door. Thanks for the tip.

RON