Removal Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the door lock striker cover. Pull the cover loose from the hook and loop fastener patches.
Mark the location of the door lock striker.
Remove the door lock striker and shims.

Fig 1: Door Lock Striker Cover
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the lock pillar trim panel. Refer to TRIM REPLACEMENT - LOCK PILLAR (UPPER CONVERTIBLE) or TRIM REPLACEMENT - LOCK PILLAR (COUPE) or TRIM REPLACEMENT - LOCK PILLAR (LOWER CONVERTIBLE AND HARD TOP) in Interior Trim.

Fig 2: Lock Pillar Trim Panel
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Cut a 51 mm (2 in) access hole with a hole saw using the 3.6 mm (1/8 in) hole (1) located 24 mm (1 in) below the lock pillar inner trim panel upper clip slot on the lock pillar as a locator. The 3.6 mm (1/8 in) hole is located about 127 mm (5 in) higher than the striker on the inner upper surface of the lock pillar.

Fig 3: Drilling Hole Below Lock Pillar Inner Trim Panel Upper Clip Slot On Lock Pillar
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Bend out the upper tab on the nut plate retaining bracket.

Fig 4: Bending Out Upper Tab On Nut Plate Retaining Bracket
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Important: When removing and installing the nut plate be extremely careful to securely hook the nut plate to prevent dropping the plate into the pillar resulting in a vehicle rattle.
Hook the nut plate with a stiff wire and carefully pull the nut plate up and out of the retaining bracket and out through the access hole.

Fig 5: Hooking Nut Plate With Stiff Wire & Carefully Pull Nut Plate Up & Out Of Retaining Bracket
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.