64 4 Window rear door-door panel removal. Caveats?

While waiting for my AC transducer and power module to come back, I started to pay a little attention to the rear door window, which works but gets hung up (the back goes up higher than the front and I have to lift the front while it is coming up). I am guessing the front of the scissors is out of the track and needs to be put back-but I'm not sure and won't be till I get a look at what's happening in the door. 

Anyway, when I look at the FSM on how to remove the door panel, it advises great care in removing the "nails"that hold it on and further advises that replacements are available at the dealer. This suggests to me that removing the door panel is a fairly delicate process that is likely to break an attaching nail (if the FSM called it out when new, it didn't get any stronger with age).

So, is there a preferred way to GENTLY pull the door panel away from the door with the least possibility of breaking a "nail?"

Views: 251

Facebook Facebook

Comment

You need to be a member of 63/64 Cadillac Website to add comments!

Join 63/64 Cadillac Website

Comment by Norman Silverman on October 29, 2018 at 2:13pm

I've seen them, but never knew what they were called. More important, I had not seen the back of a GM door panel in many years, so I had no idea what the method of attachment was. Once you mentioned the type of nail it gave me a mental picture of what I would be dealing with, and a plan of how to go about doing it. Much appreciation. 

Comment by Jason Edge on October 29, 2018 at 12:12am

hmmm. I guess I assumed everyone knew what a ring shank nail is. I forget everyone has not been restoring a 100+ year old house for a qtr century! LOL. These are also called decking nails for the larger (10D or greater) ringed nails, but any nail that has the rings that help it grip the wood or whatever it is driven into would be considered a ring shank nail.  Some have ring shanks from the head to tip, while some (e.g. the decking nails) often have a smooth shank section below the head then the ringed section to the tip.  For the door panels you want the smaller variety of ring shank nails with rings to the head or almost to the head.

Here is a picture of a typical ring shank nail:

Comment by Norman Silverman on October 28, 2018 at 9:02pm

OK, I looked up ring shank type nails;  totally different than the Mopar spring clips I have been accustomed to. Now I get it. Thanks to all. 

Comment by Jason Edge on October 28, 2018 at 8:56pm

I have been using a flat pry bar like the one below since day one... I don't recall hardly ever breaking a nail.. just firmly pry back and work your way around the perimeter. These are simple ring shank type nails and remember using the home improvement variety small ring shank nails in the past to replace missing ones. Anyway.....here's type pry bar I use:

Comment by Norman Silverman on October 28, 2018 at 5:35pm

Thanks. I already have (and was planning to use) this tool for brake work. Not sure how I would get the WD-40 in to the nail receptacles, but I understand your point-and will try to do that.

Comment by Robert Alan Shannon on October 28, 2018 at 5:18pm

Russ ,that sure looks like the right tool for the job! Maybe should have a Cadillac tool # .

Comment by Robert Alan Shannon on October 28, 2018 at 4:38pm

Hello Norman, I've only pulled off my driver's door , but same process. I broke most of my nails &   would  probably spray a bit of lubricant like wd40 into to it first. The nails go into nylon retainers so the penetrating oil should help quite a bit . I would also get on both sides before trying to pull the nail out. take your time and be easy on em. HTH .

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Forum

Steering slack/play

Started by Nile Bolen in 1963/64 Cadillac Specific Discussion. Last reply by Dennis P. DiBari 10 hours ago. 4 Replies

I checked the Help page and did a search on the site but didn't see any subjects on steering play/slack.  Since I had someone complete a front end rebuild (Kanter kit, all the control arm bushings,…Continue

Tags: box, play, steering

Front grill

Started by Phillip Hill in 1963/64 Cadillac Specific Discussion. Last reply by Dennis P. DiBari 14 hours ago. 9 Replies

Hi everyone im currently restoring my my front grill due to some previous clown painting it with silver frost paint and doing a dodgy job I would like to know what parts of the grill are anodised.it…Continue

Add cruise control/Aftermarket Cruise control

Started by Logan Robb in 1963/64 Cadillac Specific Discussion. Last reply by Michael Vogler 14 hours ago. 12 Replies

Late in the evenings, I wonder about things I will probably never do as I am not that crazy. However, I know someone out there has tried it or wanted it bad enough they have done it. My 64 Fltwd did…Continue

Uniroyal Tire Brown Discoloration

Started by Sonny Butler in 1963/64 Cadillac Specific Discussion 15 hours ago. 0 Replies

Hi all,I'm glad I read Jason's recap of last nights Zoom call. I had the same problem with a set I bought for my 63 SDV. The white never got better than a pale yellow and would turn brown with in 5…Continue

Tags: Uniroyal

Blog Posts

1963 RHS A/C kick panel - photos needed

Posted by SK on June 2, 2025 at 2:20pm 2 Comments

Could someone post front and back photos of the 1963 right-hand kick panel with A/C?

My car didn’t come with the original kick panels, so it's a bit of a mystery to me how I should cut the backing board and carpet to fit around the A/C.

Many thanks,

-Samu

Edelbrock Carb Block off Plates

Posted by Chase on March 12, 2025 at 2:05pm 14 Comments

Hey guys,

I have installed the same Edelbrock carb and have done everything the same as Jason’s carb and intake project. In the spring and summer months the car starts, runs and idles great! In the fall and winter months on a cold start, the car starts awful and wants to die until it warms up. I have to keep my foot on the throttle until it warms up or it will idle just terrible and try to die. Once it’s warm, it runs fantastic! Whats going on here? I was thinking of removing the…

Continue

'63 Tailfin Tales

Posted by Mark Mata on February 22, 2025 at 5:00pm 9 Comments

New old stock seat material

Posted by Ray Schick on August 22, 2024 at 6:25pm 2 Comments

I bought this seat material thinking that it’s…

Continue

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

© 2025   Created by Jason Edge.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service