After all those steps the panel will be loose and you can swing it out of the way, maybe use some wire to hold it up and away. You might have to remove the speaker wires too. If I remember, the only thing that keeps you from being able to remove it completely, was the door handle which looked like trouble so I didn't go there.
Let me know if you have any questions, and of course I want to know how to replace door shocks after this

specifically if you can do it by yourself. Shouldn't be too hard to prop the door up with a broom or something while your getting at it...but I don't know.