Inherited a 1997. The previous owner clipped the garage with a passenger-side mirror. Pulled off about 25% it appears. Taped back on. Like every other car I own, I assumed the triangular plastic trim piece covering the side view mirror connection would just pop off independently from the door panel. But at first attempt, I started to wonder if it is part of the entire panel. Not popping off as expected so I stopped. Do I have to remove the entire panel just to get that triangular piece off (below)? Thanks everyone!

1997 Deville Elegance BTW

Nevermined. Answered my own question...

Thanks for letting us know!

For future generations (in case the video disappears someday): It appears that the triangular plastic trim piece that looks like a separate piece, is actually heat-welded to the rest of the door panel.

I can hear the engineers now - "Hey I have an idea. Lets heat weld this tiny trim piece on to door panel, and make it different from all other similar pieces i the world!"

We don't like to copy what others do even if what they do works we will not do it the same way.

That makes sense, never thought of it that way. My wife would say I must be an engineer then!

. . . including other GM cars!

GM engineers come up with some genius stuff . . . and they also come up with some of the weirdest stuff that defies logic.

Got it off. Thank you! Although he door interior triangular trim that covers mirror bolts has a weird clip I have never seen. Looking at its mating surface, I don't actually see how the heck the white clip even holds onto its target piece.

Now figuring out the repair:
https://www.gmforum.com/cadillac-174...4/#post1649222

Clip:

Yeah, that'* weird. Maybe that'* why they attached it to the door panel LOL!