HI all,
I am replacing the upper trim of my door panel. It appears that there are retainers holding the door panel to the trim on the back side. My questions are:
1- are the retainers glue into place or can they be removed without breaking the stud?
2- if they are removable, can I get them somewhere?
3- can otherwise the trim be attached to the door panel somehow?

Any suggestions appreciated!

Thanks.

They're pushed on. You can try threading them back off, but you'll probably break a few of the plastic studs.

Do you think the trim will stay somewhat in line with only few studs?

They used reverse socket retainers. I took an old 3-1/8 socket and ground the outside down to 5 sides and it removed them with no problem. When you put them back, reverse the clip so you can get a wrench on it. If you break some studs. align the top perfectly and use some JB weld. There will be enough room back there for reversing the clips.

Louis

super, actually I do have the 3- 1/8 socket.

Mine needs one of these trims replaced.

Not quite following what you're posting. I hope you can take some pictures along the way to share here.

I am sorry guys, I made an error when I mentioned socket size, its 3/8 inch not 3-1/8.

On this photo of the clips used on the firebird doors, not sure about the camaro. You will note that the clip is reversed to save space between the door panel and the door. The clip is hard spring steel and the screw portion is soft black plastic. You will note that the inside of the clip has 5 sides. I took a 3/8 inch socket and ground down the outside of the socket to form 5 sides. You can then put the socket over the plastic screw and unscrew the clip from the door panel. Don't try to pry the clip off, you will break the plastic screw. If you manage to screw something up, use JB Weld to hold it together.

I hope this helps.

Louis

Yup. Now I get it. And that's more of what I would have expected, design-wise. Thank you.

Yep, very cler and thanks for the pic and clarification!

IIRC,there is enough space at the top where you can use Gorilla or Duck tape to keep the panel and upper trim pretty secure.

Do you mean the space between the bottom of the trim and where the panel overlap?

Yes.on the backside.

got it thanks!

I used Gorilla Tape on mine when I replaced my upper rails,it's holding up very good after about 5-6 years.Good luck.

Hi there,
On the speednuts (I think they are called) I just used a pair of pliers and gripped the outer edge of them and screwed them off. I was very careful and didn't break any of the plastic studs.


Then to put them back on, I did what Siuol did and flipped the speednuts over, and used a regular socket on them. Worked very well, and they are nice and tight.

They actually make a tool for these. Thanks to this board I found that out a few years ago. I'll post it again in case others are interested.

store.snapon.com/Door-Handle-Trim-Pad-Trim-Nuts-Palnut-Driver-Door-Trim-P643267.aspx

The link won't work. Copy and paste to address bar.

Got it done yesterday. I put a little bit of wd40. Use pliers and screw them off. When replace screw them back in . I broke one stud, but panel is nice and tight with remaining ones.

For that kind of money, a person could be forgiven for milling a cavity in a normal hex bit.

Podiatra, good for you! Do you have any pics of the final product? Love to see it.