Purchased a used 2008 Suburban, not noticing that the 'tailgate release switch' was broken. This is the 'button' that opens the glass portion of the tailgate. Trying to determine how that part is removed and replaced. I was hoping that it could be taken out from the outside, rather than having to remove all the paneling from the inside. Two dealers have told me that 'probably' the paneling needs to be removed, but it seems it would have been an easy design to have it snapped in and out. Any suggestions. Thanks.

You have to remove the liftgate inner trim panel.

they dont make it accessible from the outside for theft reasons im sure

Hadn't considered the theft angle, makes sense. Any particular trick to removing inner panels?

havent done that exact one but in general there is no trick, most are held on by some combination of screws and those christmas tree type fasteners

Theft, and installation at the factory. Installing from the back side of the sheet metal means the screw guns can't damage paint if they slip off the fastener.

Remove any screws you see. Clips are always a straight pull out from the plane of the liftgate. Typically you take a prying device that won't mark paint, and work your way around the outside edge of the panel popping clips as you go. They make plastic trim removal tools you can buy for not a lot of money, or, in a pinch I have used a screwdriver with a cloth wrapped over the end.

Autozone baby!!

Molding and Trim Remover Tool | AutoZone.com

Yah, that is what I was referring to. You can get that a most automotive stores, and they are all over Ebay.