Just got my Mopar Towing Mirrors. The directions say I need a
special tool to remove the door panel to avoid "damaging" the
plastic fastners that hold on the door panel. Do I really need a
special tool or can I pry them off with a screwdriver and be
extra careful. How much are the plastic fastners if I happen to damage
one, and are they usually in stock at dodge ?

 

Yes, you need the tool. The little plastic "trees" are a pain to get off without it and cost over a dollar a piece to replace. The tool looks like a V shaped fork and gets between the plastic panel and the sheet metal and pries the serrated plastic tree out of the hole. The tool cost me 7 or 8 bucks a few years ago at Pep Boys.

 

We were able to just pull the panel. A screwdriver was helpful but be careful not to scratch the door. Yes, you can damage the plastic, but they seem to be holding when we put them back together.

Randy

 

The manual for my 6-98 says to use a trim removal tool....you can get those at any auto parts store, it doesn't show one in use, but does show the standard door handle and window handle tool in taking of the door handle. I'll be mounting my mirrors next week so let me know how it works.

I took my dash apart a couple days ago and it wasn't as hard as the directions made it seem.

 

i just grabbed hold of the panel and "pulled" it off. i broke 2 of the clips. bought a pack of clips at advanced auto for 2.49 (10 in the pack)

 

I bought one of the tools only because I use to work in an auto body repair shop and felt nostalgic. After you pull the panel off, you can grab the clip with a pair of needle nose pliers and then use a screwdriver to pry up on the pliers to get them out. You may damage a few, so it’s a good idea to pick up a 10-pack just in case (NAPA # 665-1108).

 

I absolelutely hate this clips with a deep deep passion, I am currently looking into just using some 1/2" Hex head screws to put the door panel on, just trying to think of a way to keep it clean looking.

 

Using the door trim removal tool is best, but it will dent the metal of your door where it leverages on the door. trust me! that is how firmly those @!*? yellow christmas tree clips are on there. Take a piece of straight thin metal sock, put a rag between it and the door and push it under the tool to spread the force of the tool on your door. That's what I did after denting my door in 2 places.

If you take your door panel completely off, only use about half of them when you put it back on, save the rest. It doesn't take that many to keep the panel on tight.