How do you remove the door panel in a 1996 thunderbird to replace the speaker?

You need a flat head screwdriver to remove the light cover and the door lock and window switch. and a phillips head screwdriver to remove the two screws, the one under the door/window switch could also be a small bolt. (When removing the door/window switch cover pull back on the door handle or you will scratch the cover when removing it). Then pull straight up on the hand bar and you can slip door/window switch cover through the hole.

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Front Door Trim Panel Printable View (126 KB)

1. Disconnect the battery. For additional information, refer to Section 414-00.

1. Remove the components in the order indicated in the following illustration and table.
   
   
   Item Part Number Description 1 23712 Sail panel 2 221A18 Door handle cup cover 3 W706476-S424 Screw 4 237A98 Door handle cup assembly
   Removal Note 5 18978 Speaker cover 6 - Speaker electrical connector (Part of 18808) 7 W706476-S424 Screws (7 req'd) 8 23942 Door trim panel
   Removal Note

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

Item 4: Door Handle Cup Assembly Removal Note

1. Lift up at the front of the door handle cup assembly, move it forward to remove and disconnect the electrical connectors.

Item 8: Door Trim Panel Removal Note

1. If equipped, disconnect the electrical connector.

depends how they are instaled
try to take the covern and see if it is possible
other wise' you will need to take the cover off

You have to pull the door panel, loosen the track/window framework and door opening/unlocking rods and remove the motor assembly. You then lower the track all the way down and the window is free and lifts up at an angle out through the window opening. Expect about an hour and a half to replace..

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Door Trim Panel Removal and Installation

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to Section 414-01 .

1. Remove the door handle cup cover.

1. Remove the screw.

1. Remove the switch plate by lifting the front and moving it forward.
   • Disconnect the electrical connectors.

1. Remove the speaker grille.
   1. Release the front clips.
   1. Move the speaker grille forward.

1. Remove the speaker screws.

1. Remove the screws and the door trim panel.
   • Disconnect the electrical connectors.

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

You will have to remove the entire door cover. Remove any screws you can see, pop off the cover behind the door handle remove screws behind that, pop off the plastic that holds power window switches and unplug them, then you will have to pull the door panel upwards to remove.

Carefully pull front door trim panel finish panel away from front door trim panel.
Disconnect wires from front door lock switches, outside rear view mirror controls and window regulator control switches, if equipped. Remove front door trim panel finish panel.
Remove front door trim panel retaining screw through front door trim panel finish panel opening.
Remove interior lamp lens cover.
Remove screw through interior lamp opening.
Slide front door trim panel upward to disengage hooks.
Rotate top of front door trim panel away from front door and lift bottom hooks from front door.
Disconnect window regulator jumper wire
Remove front door trim panel.

Get to it and remove the door panel start at bottom popping the door panel loose with a flat blade working up both sides and remove screws in door handles some are hidden when all loose raise up on the door panel to release. then you will remove the plastic on the door and see the motor . it is rivited in so you will need a drill and some new rivets for replacement/

sounds like a plastic Sir clip of course you say external handel detached from door consider linkage clip has fallen down!

You need to pull the door panel to get to the speaker. It is bolted to the door shell, not the door panel.