Kia Optima Hybrid Owner's Manual Quiz
Body (Interior and Exterior)

Front Door Repair Procedures

In this manual: Body (Interior and Exterior)
General Information — 4Engine Mechanical System — 50Engine Electrical System — 20Emission Control System — 30Engine Control System/Fuel System — 84Automatic Transmission — 98Drive Shaft and Axle — 15Suspension System — 36Steering — 12Restraints — 50Brake System — 38Body (Interior and Exterior) — 54Body Electrical System — 233Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning — 57
58steps
~348min
4/5difficulty
010203040502.92N·mlb·ft
Tightening torque found on this page
Done 0 of 58

Replacement

Door Trim Replacement
  • Be careful not to scratch the door trim and other parts.
  • Wear gloves to protect your hands.
  1. Using a screwdriver or removal tool, remove the front door handle bezel inner cover (A).
  2. Loosen the retaining screws, then remove the front door trim panel (A).
  3. Remove the inside handle (A).
  4. Disconnect the connectors (A).
  5. Installation is the reverse of removal.
    • Check that the connectors are connected correctly and that each rod is securely connected.
    • Check that the door locks/unlocks and opens/closes properly.
    • Replace all damaged clips.
  6. Remove the front door trim panel.
  7. Loosen the mounting screws, then remove the inside handle (A).
  8. Installation is the reverse of removal.
    • Check that the door locks/unlocks and opens/closes properly.
    • Replace all damaged clips.
  9. Remove the front door trim panel.
  10. Disconnect the speaker connector (B).
  11. Loosen the mounting screws, then remove the speaker (A).
  12. Remove the front door belt inside the weatherstrip (A).
  13. Remove the window mounting hole plug (B).
    • Using the door switch, align the mounting hole/bolt with the hole in the door.
    • If the window regulator motor does not operate, remove the motor and align the hole manually.
    • Be careful not to drop the glass and/or scratch its surface.
  14. Carefully adjust the glass (A) until the bolts are visible, then loosen them. Separate the glass from the window regulator and carefully pull the glass out through the window opening.

    Tightening torque: 3.9 ~ 2.9 N·m

  15. Installation is the reverse of removal.
    • Move the glass up and down to check that it moves freely without binding.
    • If necessary, adjust the glass position.
    • Check that the door locks and opens properly.
    • Replace all damaged clips.
  16. Remove the front door trim panel.
  17. Disconnect the speaker connector (B).
  18. Loosen the mounting screws, then remove the speaker (A).
  19. Installation is the reverse of removal.
    • Use sheet metal screws to secure the speaker.
    • Replace all damaged clips.
    • Check that the door locks/unlocks and opens/closes properly.
    • Check that the connectors are connected correctly and that each rod is securely connected.
  20. Remove the front door trim panel.
  21. Disconnect the window regulator motor connector (B).
  22. Loosen the mounting screws, then remove the window regulator motor (A).
  23. Installation is the reverse of removal.
    • Apply grease to areas with moving parts and springs.
    • Move the glass up and down to check that it moves freely without binding.
    • Replace all damaged clips.
    • Check that the door locks/unlocks and opens/closes properly.
  24. Remove the following parts:
    • Front Door Trim
    • Glass
    • Outside Handle
  25. Loosen the mounting bolt (A).
  26. Loosen the door module mounting bolts, then remove the front door module (A).

    Tightening torque: 6.9~10.8 N·m

  27. Disconnect the outside handle connector (A) and the outside handle rod (B).
  28. Disconnect the door module connectors and harness (A).
  29. Installation is the reverse of removal.
    • Apply a sufficient amount of grease to the moving parts.
    • Check that the connectors are connected correctly and that each rod is securely connected.
    • Check that the door locks/unlocks and opens/closes properly.
  30. Remove the front door trim panel.
  31. Remove the front door module.
  32. Remove the hole plug (B).
  33. Loosen the mounting bolt, then remove the outside handle cover (A).

    Tightening torque: 0.7 ~ 0.5 N·m

  34. Remove the outside handle (A) by sliding it rearward.
  35. Disconnect the outside handle connector (A).
  36. Installation is the reverse of removal.
    • Check that the door locks/unlocks and opens/closes properly.
    • Make sure the door locks and unlocks properly.
  37. Remove the following components:
    • Front Door Trim
    • Glass
    • Outside Handle
  38. Loosen the mounting bolt (A).
  39. Loosen the door module mounting bolts, then remove the front door module (A).

    Tightening torque: 6.9 ~ 10.8 N·m

  40. Disconnect the outside handle connector (A).
  41. Disconnect the connector (C) and rod (B).
  42. Remove the rear door latch (A).
  43. Installation is the reverse of removal.
    • Make sure the connector is properly connected.
    • Check that the door locks/unlocks and opens/closes properly.
    • Replace all damaged clips.
  44. Loosen the cotter mounting bolts.
  45. Disconnect the clips, then remove the front door side weatherstrip (A).
  46. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Inside Handle Replacement Glass Replacement Speaker Replacement Window Regulator Motor Replacement Door Module Assembly Replacement Outside Handle Replacement Door Latch Replacement Door Weatherstrip Replacement

Adjustment

Window Adjustment
  • Inspect the glass guide for damage or wear, and replace if necessary.
  1. Remove the following parts:
    • Front door trim panel.
    • Front door quarter inner cover.
  2. Remove the window mounting hole plug (B).
  3. Carefully move the glass (A) until the glass mounting bolts are visible, then loosen them.
  4. Make sure the glass moves smoothly.
Door Position Adjustment
  • After installing the door, check that it is flush with the body, then check that the gaps between the front, rear and bottom edges of the door and body are even. Make sure the door and body edges are parallel. Replace the mounting bolts before adjusting.
  1. Make sure the door and body edges are parallel.
  2. When adjusting the doors, place the vehicle on a hard, level surface.
  3. Adjust at the hinges (A):
    • Slightly loosen the door mounting bolts and move the door inward or outward until it is flush with the body.
    • Slightly loosen the hinge mounting bolts and move the door forward or backward, up or down, to align the gaps.
    • Place a shop towel on the jack to avoid damaging the door during adjustment.
    Tightening torque: (B): 21.6 ~ 26 N·m (C): 34.3 ~ 41 N·m
  4. Lubricate the moving parts of the specified hinges.
  5. Check for water leaks.
  6. Loosen the screws (B) just enough to allow the latch to move.

    Tightening torque: (B): 16.7 ~ 22 N·m

  7. Tap the striker with a plastic hammer to adjust it. The striker will not move much, but will allow some adjustment.
  8. While holding the outside handle, press the door against the body to make sure the striker allows flush seating. If the door latches correctly, tighten the screws and recheck.
Door Latch Adjustment Make sure the door latches securely without slamming it. If the striker (A) needs adjustment: The striker mounting nuts are locked. The striker can be precisely adjusted up or down, in or out.

Test yourself

A quick Kia Optima Hybrid Owner's Manual quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.