Removing 240z Door Panels

[lm71z]

The man I bought my 240z from installed new factory door panels. I'm planning on replacing the outer door handles and the window rollers. I know from experience that the door panels on the early z's are hard to get off without breaking the clips. What's the best way to remove the door panels without breaking any of the clips? I'd hate to break the clips on brand new door panels.

[ConchZ]

Using tin snips, I cut a 1 inch deep V shaped notch into the middle of a 4 inch wide metal putty knife. The result looks like a wide bladed weed puller. You can slide the blade underneath the panel so that the clip slips into the notch. The width of the blade will distribute the pressure so that you don't break anything when you pop the clip loose.

[Mike B]

I use these. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95214

-Mike

[Bonzi Lon]

I never really had any trouble with the 'clips' breaking as much as I did with the thin area of fiberboard breaking or being mangled that surrounded the clips. Just prod carefully.

Bonzi Lon

[ajmcforester]

Make a tool or buy them they make tools for this. I made my out of 98 cent 4" wide plastic puddy knife. I drilled a 3/4" hole about 2" in and cut the material to the hole making a fork that can get on each side of the clip and start prying carefully.