Door skin? removal

The only way to remove the skin is to cut the spot welds, fold the panel back, and replace it when done. LOTS of body work in order to fix the window regulator, imo. You should be able to get the window out of the regulator and arms, lift it out, then have access to use a crescent wrench, vice grips, etc... to straighten that arm enough to get it out of the door, then work on it with some better suited tools. As much of a pain as it sounds like, it will ultimately be a lot less work than ripping the door skin off. Good luck!

Scott

It is completely unnecessary to take the door skin off. It all pulls out through the top of the door.

First !Have the window up!

You'll need a strong light with a clamp aimed at the door its dark in there.

You need to drill out the rivets holding the regulator(scissor mechanism) to the inner door skin then remove the rubber on both sids of the glass, no tool necessary(use your fingers) Then unbolt a few metal tabs that help position the glass. Get a friend (I didn't have one but wished i did) then just pull the glass and regulator and motor out the top of the door all one piece. It will be very tight but would be even tighter if the window was down when you started.

Major Warning! do not the remove the window motors 3 gold color screws which hold it to the regulator after drilling out the rivets. There is a spring under high tension shaped like a snail shell that will pop out and you will NEVER get it back in. I know. I finally did get it in the correct way after taking my door apart 3 more times.

You should be able to straighten out the metal arm now that its on the floor. I drilled out the rivets holding the window glass to the regulator. I didn't trust myself with a hammer banging a foot away. When its straight plug in the harness and test it out on the floor to make sure they dont rub on one another(easier with the glass removed also) or you'll be right back will the same problem soon enough, another bent arm!

Installation reverse of removal. But i used stainless bolts, washers and nuts with nylon rings to replace the rivets. Screw those freaking rivets. PITA to drill out!