So - my Dad has a '94 Pontiac Grand Prix, but it has this problem where only one window works, and it’s the rear passenger one. Not very useful. I can tell the motors are getting juice, 'cause the fan slows and the lights dim when any of the window buttons are used. I’d like to take a look at them myself, since no repair shop has had them working for more than a few months after the job, and I don’t really know what they claim to have done to them.
Anyways, I’m trying to remove the rear drivers side panel. There were two large screws with giant torx heads I attacked with a hex key, so they were no problem. But the door is still on, and I can’t figure out how it “pops” out. (As previously described in such threads as this one, and this one too.)
I’ve run a spackle knife 'round the edge, and it catches on only 3 or 4 places, where I imagine these “clips” are. My questions then is, I suppose, now that I’ve removed the serious hardware holding the door panel on, how does it “pop” out? Can someone give me a more detailed description of this action? Am I supposed to pull/push the panel edge? Use my left-handed Roy-Robertson head nibblet? Load the sucker up with butane and blow it the heck off? Nobody on the net wants to tell me. Won’t you?
On the great majority of cars, those plastic retaining clips are a friction fit into holes in the door. They pop out away from the door (toward the centerline of the car if the door were closed). You just need some sort of lever or prybar that will let you pry the edge of the door panel about 3/4" away from the door itself. A good-sized screwdriver will usually work. Get as close as you can to the clips to minimize the chance of breaking them–you actually want to pry on the clips rather than on the panel. Check the front, bottom, and rear edges of the panel for clips. The top nestles down into the window opening–once the clips are free, lift the panel up to clear the door.
A few cars have retaining clips that are engaged by lowering the door panel onto them. In those cases, removal is done by lifting the door panel up about 3/4".
If the top of the door lock button is larger than the hole it goes through, it will have to be screwed off of its stem. If it will go through the hole (most modern cars), leave it on.
Sometimes it’s necessary to remove a little trim plate around the inside door handle. Check underneath it for another screw. Also check the armrest for screws, either horizontal or vertical. They usually need to come out.
A few cars have one or more door panel screws that are not obvious. Look carefully for them, especially if there’s carpet on the panel, which hides them well.
They do sell a tool for popping those clips out. It resembles a small crowbar (the claw end) with a screwdriver handle on it. I bought one years ago for a few bucks and it works quite well.
I found one of these clips right after posting, but I wasn’t sure how they worked. I’ve done everything you mentioned Gary T, but the darn clips are really hard to ream on. I think I’m going to take Thin Ice’s advice and buy the right tool for it. The guy at Princess Auto says they have two models for 6 or 11 bucks, which to save time (and the paint job) seems like a worthy investment. I’ll get one tomorrow, and see how that works.
GaryT is, as usual, right on the money. One thing that might help is to pry away the panel gently and look at the clip, just to make sure it will come loose. Sometimes these things are really tight and you will have to practically break it to get it off, in fact, you might just break it. Getting the tool is a good idea, there’s a reason they are standard equipment at auto body shops, for this particular job, they really do help.
Well, it’s off. I got a tool for popping pegs, and I found it… not very helpful. It’s a bit thick to shove in the tiny gap, and some pegs are under the metal trim of the door, making them impossible to get to. So I ended up yanking those off. Fortunately, the door is a soft vinyl, and it just deformed around them.
In case anyone else wants to try this, there are actually 3 screws, one of which is hiding behind the door light. The manual helps you replace 50 different bulbs, but not this one. It pops outwards with some work; looking at it afterwards, it seems a screwdriver from below at a 45° angle would help depress the clip holding it in.
BTW, there were eight pegs holding the door in, spaced pretty evenly. I have to say I hate this particular idea with a passion. It took me 2 hours to get it off, for about half of which I was thinking evil thoughts about the kinds of people who make you need special tools to open a Mac case. My next GQ will be “Why don’t interior door panels use *&%ing screws for *#& sake!!!”
But I’m happier now, 'cause I’m in the realm of gears and electricity and motors now. Thanks for getting me here.
