How to Remove the Door Panel on a 2005 Cadillac STS

The rear-wheel drive STS replaced the Seville model in Cadillac's lineup for the 2005 model year. Cadillac markets the STS as a luxury sports-sedan, which bears fruit in the sports suspension and leather-encased interior trim. Each door houses a complement of power convenience accessories including a window motor, window regulator and door lock actuator. Should any of these components require replacement, you'll need to remove the door panel from the STS first to gain access to them. Since Cadillac does not offer repair parts for these components, assume you'll need to replace them if a malfunction occurs.

Instructions

1

Open the window in the door with the panel you're removing. Pry the trim bezel out of the inner door handle recess using the trim tool to expose one door panel retaining screw.

2

Pry the leather flap under the inner door handle pull up to expose two door panel retaining screws.

3

Remove the three exposed door panel retaining screws using a Phillips screwdriver.

4

Pry the door panel off the door using the trim tool. There are nine trim pins, located around the side and bottom perimeter of the panel, anchoring the panel to the door skin. Pry each trim pin loose, one at a time, using the trim tool.

5

Lift the door panel upward and off the STS's door. Disconnect the inner door handle cable from the inner handle. Disconnect the power switch wiring connector from power window and lock switch.

6

Pull the door panel away from the door and set it aside to complete removal.

7

Place the door panel near the door. Connect the inner door handle cable and power switch connectors to the handle and switch respectively.

8

Lower the panel onto the door. Align the nine trim pins with their anchor holes and push on the door panel adjacent to the pins to seat them into the door skin.

9

Reinstall the three door panel retaining screws using the Phillips screwdriver. Snap the inner door handle bezel into the door panel to complete reinstallation.