Well, I now realize that I have NEVER had to remove the interior panels on any of these cars.. But I am now going to start stripping the doors of their parts to get ready for paint. It's all pretty much straight forward, like every other car in the world.. I am totally disconnected except for the very top. In the old days, the door panels just lifted up at the window, maybe with a little muscle, but they came right up. I started on the left rear door, and I can't get it dislodged (moved up) at the top. What's the trick? I have flawless panels, I don't want to damage them. Thanks. Mike

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1993 SE with SLE appearance package. Factory stock except for steering wheel buttons, AM/FM/CD from a '93SSEi and chrome wheels.
1999 Olds Eighty-Eight LS Anniversary Edition, my daily driver.
2004 Chrysler Minivan, wife's daily driver.

Its the same as you are thinking, they pull straight up. They are locked in that channel, and are hard to remove without breaking. That top trim piece likes to break.

Here is how the FSM states to remove it.
Remove the switch plate. Refer to Power Window and Door Lock Switch Replacement
Remove the courtesy lamp. Refer to Door Lamp Replacement in Lighting Systems.
Remove the lock rod knob by pulling the knob straight out and unsnapping the knob from the lock rod.
Pry in the notch on the handle cup cover in order to remove the handle cup from the handle bezel.
Pry the rear edge of the handle bezel in order to remove the handle bezel from the door trim panel.
Remove the armrest applique. Insert a small, flat-bladed tool at the front of the applique in order to release the retaining clip.
Remove the two fasteners through the courtesy lamp opening.
Remove the fastener at the top of the armrest handle.
Remove the trim panel from the door. Insert the J 38778 between the trim panel outer edges and the door in order to disengage the trim panel retaining fasteners.
Remove the door trim panel.


If you want a detailed picture of how the channel looks, I can get a pic.

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Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 55k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 95k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 260k | Official Bonneville Hauler

Thanks for the info.. My manual states the same thing, but was hopeful for a trick. I have a door from the parts car hung on a wall, I will experiment with that door. I'll get it, and I'll get it without breaking them. Thanks.

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1993 SE with SLE appearance package. Factory stock except for steering wheel buttons, AM/FM/CD from a '93SSEi and chrome wheels.
1999 Olds Eighty-Eight LS Anniversary Edition, my daily driver.
2004 Chrysler Minivan, wife's daily driver.

Andrew:

Got it, thanks. Knowing that it pulled off in the "usual" way, with no trickery that would have been discovered AFTER breaking something, gave me the green light to use a little more force. Popped right off, no damage, good to go.

Mike

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1993 SE with SLE appearance package. Factory stock except for steering wheel buttons, AM/FM/CD from a '93SSEi and chrome wheels.
1999 Olds Eighty-Eight LS Anniversary Edition, my daily driver.
2004 Chrysler Minivan, wife's daily driver.

Ummmm. my '99 has two screws that hold the door panel as well as the clips. One is under the mirror piece (the trim just pops off) and the other is beneath the courtesy light lens at the bottom rear of the doors.

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462 cubic inches of REAL Pontiac power.

Right, just like my posts says ;)

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Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 55k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 95k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 260k | Official Bonneville Hauler

Yes, there are a few screws holding the panel on, as well as those push pin things. My hang up (literally) was at the very top of the panel. Days gone by, there were metal harpoon things that stuck downward into the door frame, but now it is a plastic, scary, ruin a perfect panel kind of thing.
I couldn't get one off the other rear door last night to save my butt, the panel came off leaving the black trim piece behind. Oh shoot, I thought. Anyway, I was able to get the black trim piece off without breaking it, and I see that it is held to the panel with a half-dozen staples. Wow, that's a lousy design. Anyway, I removed the staples and then glued the piece back on, using "shoe goo" I chose that because it is quite thick out of the tube, so it won't run, and is designed for leather and plastic - the two things I'm trying to bond - This morning, it was solid and tight, good to go.

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1993 SE with SLE appearance package. Factory stock except for steering wheel buttons, AM/FM/CD from a '93SSEi and chrome wheels.
1999 Olds Eighty-Eight LS Anniversary Edition, my daily driver.
2004 Chrysler Minivan, wife's daily driver.