How do I remove the trim panel from the back of the front driver's seat?

I can push up on the clip with my finger,but that just pushes it away from the bar steel that holds the back of the seat together. What I can't do is get the panel to slide up far enough for the clip to clear that bar.

Do you know if you have seat airbags? If you do you might not want to get in there anyway. have to turn the airbags off which is a process in itself. 6. CAUTION: When removing the seat backrest trim panel, be careful not to damage the J-hooks. If the J-hooks are damaged, install a new seat backrest trim panel. NOTE: Front seat backrest trim covers installed on seats with side air bags cannot be repaired. New front seat backrest trim covers must be installed. Cleaning is permissible. Remove the seat backrest cover panel. 1 Carefully fold the seat backrest cover panel to release the tension on the lower J-hooks. 2 Slide the seat backrest cover panel down to release the upper J-hooks. I can get whole thing for you. Its just not looking easy. Why might you be trying to get in there?

Thank you for this. I have already read this same stuff right off the shop manual for this car that I have on cd. I do have side airbags and I'm afraid I'm going to have to face the fact that I can't get this panel off without destroying it. I tried pulling the airbag fuse before starting to work on it,but that didn't help. My main problem is that I have a clicking noise that comes from the left back side of that seat which sounds like a pressure switch being clicked when I lean back on the seat or when I hit a bump in the road and bounce. It's not hurting anything,but it never did this until a few months ago,and I figured I'd like to know what's making the noise-loose connection,bad switch? I don't have any idea. There's no trouble light on the dash.

Wish I could help more. To me it would come down to how much the noise bothered me vs how much money I wanted to spend. You might just want to seek a good mechanic for help on this one.