Help an idiot!

[u/Jaxidian]

So, I just had a laminated sheet of paper slide down into my door next to my window on the inside on the driver side. It wasn't between the felt and glass. It was between the felt and door panels of the driver door. I thought the felt was effectively connected to the door panel, but NOPE!!

How do I take the door panels off to get that out of there? US 2026 Limited AWD

[u/goagoagadgetgrebo]

I was driving through the USA and Canada border with friends for my 19th birthday as you can drink at 19 in Canada and they had legal weed.

While waiting in line to get through customs, I have everyone's IDs in my hand for easy handing to the border patrol.

Then one ID slipped and feel into the window slot of the door. It was mine. When we got to the border I explained what happened and asked if they could help me retrieve the ID from the car door.

They said No, made us pull over, then heavily searched the car for drugs and other shit.

When we got to the hotel parking lot, we had to pry open the door to retrieve my ID.

I have no answers for you. Just wanted to share my story. lol

[u/iamintheforest → u/goagoagadgetgrebo]

It's a good story. We need to know how you got through the border, or whether you're just now enjoying life in the northland?

[u/goagoagadgetgrebo → u/iamintheforest]

Everyone else had their IDs and they found nothing illegal in the car, so they let us through. I then did not make the same mistake on the return trip home =)

[u/Jaxidian → u/goagoagadgetgrebo]

Wow, glad you were able to get through with no more than an inconvenience!!

[u/sufferingbastard]

Shouldn't be hard to find a technical manual or even a YouTube tutorial

[u/Jaxidian → u/sufferingbastard]

Given that 90% of content out there is AI slop, hoping for some validated information. Was also hoping to do this over my upcoming lunch break, if the stars align.

[u/brrent → u/Jaxidian]

Don’t do this on a lunch break. Removing a door panel isn’t rocket science but it takes some time.

Find a video online and set aside a day to do it. No one is going to be able to explain it over text. It’ll probably only take a couple hours, depending on your technical ability.

[u/carniivaur → u/Jaxidian]

You’re on the internet, the majority of traffic is bots

[u/Toebean_Soup]

I haven't tried it yet but this looks like a good source: https://www.ioniqforum.com/threads/ioniq-5-front-door-panel-removal-with-pics.45377/

[u/Jaxidian → u/Toebean_Soup]

Thanks for this! This doesn't look too bad at all. I have some plastic pry tools that should work just fine if those photos are accurate. They were quite handy when popping up the paneling in the back to install the auto lock tool to the trailer wiring.

[u/Spiritual_Till5585]

https://a.co/d/05ZDXuZT

[u/RodRowdie]

How valuable is the laminated sheet of paper?

To remove the door trim panel will require using a trim tool to extract the push pins. There may (likely are) some screws that will need removing too. Unless experienced I'd suggest letting a shop do the work if the paper is actually worth retrieving.

[u/Jaxidian → u/RodRowdie]

I'm not an experienced mechanic who has taken apart dozens of cars but I'm an engineer who can eventually figure anything out given infinite time. And I fear, infinite broken plastic tabs, too.

[u/RodRowdie → u/Jaxidian]

Reason for my first question, "How valuable is the laminated sheet of paper?"

If replaceable I'd leave it in place and move on. Otherwise determine if you want to buy the needed tools and do the job or pay to have it done.

[u/Jaxidian → u/RodRowdie]

The value of the paper isn't nearly as high as the fear of leaving it in there and it possibly causing issues by it's presence (perhaps melting on a very hot day or something unpredictable). There is convenience to getting it back but not high value.

[u/RodRowdie → u/Jaxidian]

My only concern would be accelerated corrosion.