Ok, I need some help with this one. I've read the tech article on door pannel restoration and a bunch of posts on door pannel removal in general, and pretty much all state to do it with the window down. Well, since my power window will not go down I'm having some trouble. I've got all the platic trim off and all the clips out of the door so basically the only thing stopping me is the upper plastic trim. I'm trying VERY hard not to break it, but there isn't much to hold on to with the window up. I can't squeeze the trim and pull up like the articles say. I have gotten one clip off on the far right. I actually pulled the platic retainer right out. I heard a crack and thought for sure I broke something and the retainer fell out the bottom. The tabs are not broken so I'm sure I can reuse it. I just need the middle and far left ones out. I've tried everything and it wont budge. I have gotten so PO'd right now I had to take a break before I ripped the whole damn thing off

I'd like to keep the pannels though because they are in good shape and the aftermarket ones don't match perfectly.

Anyone got some tips?!?!

 

Very tough to do with the window up.
You might be able to get them by pushing to plastic trim toward the glass...it may go far enough to clear the tabs on the end clip, then try to slide the entire panle forward or rearward a few inches to get past the center tab.

 

Yeah, push the trim piece towards the window until it comes free, or while pushing in slide the piece back towards the latch, with a little time it should come free in one piece.

 

Well, I got the pannel off with minimal "damage"

Anyway, all I did was just smack the plastic trim really hard a few times sort of in an upward motion and it got free. No cracks or anything. However I was wondering if you can replace the rubber strip that is attached to the plastic trim that rubs up against the window. It is kinda cracked in a few places and it looks like it might be able to come off. I'd hate to get a whole new trim piece since mine is good, and at Hawks they want $170 I think for the plastic trim...too much in my opinion if just the rubber is cracked. Other than that the cardboard backing came off of 2 of the fasteners at the back. Not quite sure how to fix this since it ripped out the top part of the hole. I was thinking maybe gluing some washers at the hole to give it more support.