I'm trying to replace the dove grey panel on the entire door panel (put in black leather seats - trying to match). There are clips/lock washers holding the panel on to the plastic top trim. Tried to pry one off and sapped the plastic stud. Is there a trick to removing these? 20 yrd old brittle plastic doesn't help much, either.

 

I hate those things, I broke most of mine too. No matter how careful I was, as soon as I tried to turn it. Snap.

 

Try to spin them off,be careful they are brittle.Put needle nose pliers in the slot and pull the pliers open and spin.

 

I ripped all mine off. Oh well i guess as it still goes on and works fine after. Next set I get im gonna try the needle nose thing tho for sure

 

there is actually a socket for that

i have one abd they still break,
just not as much

 

There is actually a tool especially made for that. I got mine on ebay for $8 and it works great. Looks like a flat head screwdriver, with a split in the middle of it (like a hammer nail puller). Stone

 

the good thing is they really arent needed,i found a unbroken set of door panel tops at a parts yard,$10 each!!! and all the mounting studs broke off too.when installed you cant tell its not attached to the door panel at all

 

Someone else on here found that you can smooth out the back of that plastic and glue on bolts using ' Super Glue Quick Set Single USe Epoxy '. I havent tried but he said he had tried several things before that worked. I kept a record of that tip assuming I would need it later.

 

Yeah, I though of epoxying the broken tips - or replace with a threaded stud of some sort. I broke about 30% of them - meaning I still have plenty to attach properly. I have the upholstery tool, but 20 yr old plastic doesn't always play nice.
When I bought the Corbeau seats, I also purchased xtra leather knowing I would match these panels. Will post up pics in a few days.

 

you can drill out the center of a nut(weld a lil handle to it) so it fits over the stud and down into the upside down speed nut. Then you can carefully turn them off.