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Anyone know how to remove the upper without breaking the plastic mounts without breaking them? I have new door panels and I tried to remove a nut and broke one of the mounts. Also any mounting suggestions? Picture for help
Every one of my nuts are either sheared off on both my cars, or the panels are torn where the nuts mount. I've had my door panels off my RS about 20-30 times due to water leaks/wind noise/door lock problems/repainting side mirrors/replacing weatherstripping, etc., so they're pretty much shot, as far as proper/stock mounting. I use high heat aluminum foil duct tape, and just tape the top rail to the door panel as best as possible while they're both off the car, then carefully carry the assembly to the car, snap the top rail on to the top of the door while supporting the door panel so that they don't separate, then attach the door panel to the door with the trim clips. The trim clips hold the panel to the door, and the top rail clips onto the top of the door.
It's not pretty, and I hate the fact that it's held together by duct tape, but once it's on the car it's all tight and secure, and there's no way to tell how they're held on. Plus still no one makes correct 1990-92 door panels, and new top rails are around $200/pair, so I didn't have much of an option.
You can re-drill new holes where the upper rail ripped out of the panel.
Then pop rivet the panel to the upper rail.
The pop rivets will be HIDDEN under the lip of the upper rail. and
Just dont drill thru the upper panel face just the hidden lip panel.
My 84 had those melted over plastic rivets and a washer holding the panel to upper rail no screws
