Anyone know the easiest fastest way or tool to take the metal nuts off the backs of door panels without breaking the plastic studs? I do this alot and have many requests for good top rails, but I ruin so many door panels and top rail studs I hate to sell em anymore !
Let me know,
Thanks,
Ray

 

they are a pain in the neck, for sure. I have had good luck with a pair of flat faced pliers, and unscrewing from the flange.

the other thing I have used is an odd bolt my brother found, it had a hole in the middle of the hex, a weirdo metric one, so we ground down the hex to fit into the nut, yet clear the plastic 'stud'. the trick is slowly unscrewing and going back and forth, loosen, tighten, slightly, loosen a little more, like a tap, almost.

thats about all I've found.

 

I used a pair of needle nose pliers to unscrew mine. Be sure to grip the sides from the top, if you grip the nut from the side (like using a wrench) the plastic studs will break.....don't ask me how I know.