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

[Norman Silverman]

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?"

[Norman Silverman]

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. 

[Jason Edge]

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:

[Norman Silverman]

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. 

[Jason Edge]

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:

[Norman Silverman]

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.

[Robert Alan Shannon]

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

[Robert Alan Shannon]

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 .