2011 MKT. How can I replace the arm rest insert on a door panel?

Armrest Door Pull
Remove Rubber Cover
Remove 10mm ***** The first step is to pry out the plastic trim plate behind the chrome colored door release handle using a small flathead screwdriver.Then remove the 10mm ***** behind the plate using a ratcheting wrench with an extension bar attached.
Next pry out the rubber cover at the bottom of the door pull located in the center of the arm rest. Use a Torx T-25 (star bit) screwdriver to remove the two screws.
Remove Torx T25 Screws
2 T-25 Torx & 1 10mm *****
Pry Up Arm Rest Panel Use a flathead screwdriver to pry up the rear of the plastic arm rest panel. There is a plastic hook at the front of the panel, so only pry it up from the rear edge.
Lift Rear End First
Plastic Hook At Front of Panel
Power Window Connector After you lift out the arm rest panel, you'll need to disconnect the power connector for the window and door lock switches.
Push Connector Release Tab
Power Connector Unplugged
Two More T25 Screws Push on the release tab with a flathead screwdriver and pull out the power window / door lock connector.Use a Torx T25 screwdriver to remove the two screws located below the arm rest panel.
Remove T25 Torx Screws
Outer Edge of Panel
Push In Center of Fastener Then move to the outer edge of the door panel and locate the two small round fasteners. Use a small screwdriver to pop in the center pins of the two fasteners.
Pull Out Plastic Rivet
Black Plastic Fastener Removed
Remove Lower Fastener Pull out the two plastic rivet fasteners and set them aside in a safe place.
Pull Panel Away From Door
White Plastic Pop Rivets
Pull Off Sail Panel Grab the door pull in the arm rest and tug it towards yourself to disengage the pop rivet friction fasteners that hold the panel to the door frame.Move to the top corner of the door panel and pry off the triangular "sail" panel. On some vehicles, the sail panel contains the tweeter speaker.
Lift Panel Off Door Lock
Pull Out Door Pull Cable Lift the door panel off the door lock button and tilt the top of it out towards yourself.Use a pair of needle nose pliers to gently lift the metal ball at the end of the door opener cable out of the mechanism.
Disconnect the door cable from the back side of the door panel.
Door Pull Cable Removed
Disconnect Power Mirror Then disconnect the power connector for the side view mirror by lifting up on the release tab. Slide the power connector off the plastic anchor on the metal door frame.
Slide Connector Off Anchor
Unlock Connector
Connector Detached Look behind the door panel and locate the large wire connector with the pink lever lock. Swing the lever open to unlock the connector and separate it from the socket.


Door Panel Removed
Power Window Motor
10mm Bolts Now the door panel can be completely removed by lifting it up and off the door frame.To replace the power window motor, remove the 10mm bolts.
Stock OEM Door Speaker
Remove 7mm ***** The stock "OEM" speaker is held in place by a single 7 mm *****. Remove it with a socket and ratcheting wrench.
Pry Off OEM Speaker
Speaker Removed
Disconnect Power Plug If the speaker is stuck to the door frame, gently pry it off with a small flathead screwdriver.Disconnect the speaker's power plug by pressing the release tab with the small flathead screwdriver.
Fits 5.25", 6.5", 6.75"
Re-installing Door Panel According to the Crutchfield website, the 2008 to 2012 Chevrolet Malibu's front door speakers can be replaced withaftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 5 1/4", 6 1/2" or 6 3/4" speakers with the use of a bracket.If you'd like to reduce road noise, make your car quieter and also improve the sound from your speakers, I'd recommend applying some Dynamat Sound Deadener on to the metal door frame.
Re-Attach To Anchor
Plug In Power Side View Mirror
Re-Insert Power Connector To re-install the door panel, first hold the panel close to the door frame before re-connecting the large wire plug. Swing the pink lever closed to lock it in place.Slide the socket for the power side view mirror back on to its anchor and insert the power plug.
Lock Power Connector
Pink Lever Locked
Re-Insert Door Pull Cable Ball Insert the metal ball at the end of the door opener cable back in to the door handle mechanism.Slide the black plastic cone part of the cable back into the slot in the door opener assembly.
Door Opener Cable Reinstalled
Hang Door Panel On Frame Gently lower the door panel down on to the edge of the door frame with the door lock switch through the opening at the top.
Line Up White Plastic Fasteners
Push On Sail Panel
Push Door Panel In Place Move to the bottom of the door panel and line up the white plastic pop rivet fasteners with the holes in the metal door frame.Push all around the door panel to re-insert the pop rivet fasteners.
Re-attach the sail panel at the top corner of the door frame.
Push Panel Flush Against Frame
Insert Side Edge Fasteners
Insert Larger Piece First Next move to the side edge of the door panel and first re-insert the larger piece of the two fasteners. Then insert the smaller "pin" piece of the fastener into the middle of the larger piece.
Insert Small "Pin" Piece
Install Lower Edge Fastener
Tighten 2 T25 Torx Screws
Re-Attach Power Connector
Insert Front Hook First Insert and tighten the two Torx T-25 screws located under the arm rest.Re-attach the power connector to the plastic arm rest panel.
First insert the hook at the front of the arm rest panel and then snap the rear end in place.
Pop Arm Rest Panel In Place
Tighten 2 T25 Screws
Replace Rubber Cover Insert and tighten the two T25 Torx screws into the door pull cup. Then replace the rubber cover over the two screws.
Tighten 10mm Door Handle *****
Replace Door Handle Trim Plate
Malibu Door Panel Replaced Replace the 10mm ***** that goes above and behind the door opener handle and tighten it. Pop in the plastic trim plate behind the door handle.

Every thing should bolt in look closer front and back if you take apart enough you will find it

Before you get too carried away it may be possible to replace the arm rest without touching the trim panel. Check for some plugs in the arm rest and if there are some prise them out and you will find screws deep inside that will allow you to remove the arm rest. Normally trim is clipped over the top of the door and held in place by push in clips around the door.

Remove the inner door panel. The handle will now be accessable, just get one from the dealer and put it on. The door panel is held on with snap inserts around the perimeter of the panel about every 6" or so. There are also some screws in the arm rest and handle. A flat screwdriver slipped under the panel, starting at bottom, will release the snaps.

might have a screw on the door arm rest andthe brest of panel should pop off as it has insert buttons they will pop of as you pull on panel

Generic instructions to remove door panels:

1. Remove the screw(s) in the trim behind the door release handle and remove the trim.
2. Look for the screws in the arm rest and remove. Remove the arm rest.
3. Look for other screws (possibly under caps) and remove them.
4. Insert a wide flat blade between the door panel and the door. Find the plastic tabs which hold the panel to the door and gently pry the panel away from the door. Make sure you work as close to these plastic tabs as possible to avoid ripping the panel.
5. Work your way around the door prying the tabs out of the door.
6. When everything is free, gently lift the door panel straight up and out of the door.
7. Disconnect the electrical wires, and you are done.
8. There is a vapor barrier between the door and panel which must be gently peeled out of the way in order for you to gain access to the window and door latch mechanisms.

Start by first removing the electric window switch. You only need to pry it off from the arm-rest using a flat-end screw-driver. Then remove the arm rest. It has screws covered by small plastic inserts. Remove also the plastic plate in the door lever, it has only one small single screw. Use the flat-end screw-driver to pry off the door panel at the edges. Then gently lift up the door panel. Disconnect the window switch by unplugging it from the inside wires. Installation is reverse of removal.
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I just removed the passenger side door panel with two long screw drivers, a putty knife and an eight mm socket on a quarter inch drive ratchet. First of all I did NOT have to remove any trim or the door handle which stays attatched to the panel. I use the putty knife to protect the paint from being scratched by the screw drivers. Insert the putty knife, ( started at the bottom) outer edge. Next insert the screw driver on top of the putty knife and pry a little to create a gap. Now insert the other screw driver near the first one and pry. It will take some effort to pop the plastic fastener but that is what holds the panel on and there are several of them so just work your way around. I stuck a 2X4 mid way between the panel and door so I could see and gain access to the two 8 mm nuts holding the arm rest secure. I removed these screws from inside or inbetween the door and panel so no damage or removing the arm rest from the dor panel. Use a flash light to spot the nuts.After they are removed and all the plastic fasteners are pried out ( there was a stubborn one for me on top near the door lock) then pull UP on the panel to clear the window sill. Pull up and out at the same time and it should come out. Be patient because they are fairly secure and there are several of them.

There will be screws near the door handle and arm rest remove these first. Then check rest of panel for screws there should be more if you have door speakers. Remove these take speaker out slide speaker wires off the speaker clips. Move to the bottom of the door panel insert a flat edge screw driver between the panel and door. Pry gently to pop trim clips loose continue till loose across bottom then check sides. When these are all loose grab panel one both side and lift up towards window to release top edge. Do not pull the bottom edge to you or you may snap the top gove that secures the top edge. To replace follow step in reverse.

Take the Lights out of the arm rest and you will see more screws.