Anyone have any ideas on how to get this bottom cover off my g3?

[Evelyn Rumti]

I have been struggling to get this bottom panel off my 1998 bondi blue imac g3 for over 5 days straight. The square part that's on top of the cd drive and near the screen is the only part that's stuck. I've tried using ifixit wedges and flathead screwdrivers in the seams trying to pry it lose. I've tried wiggling and prying while my sister pulls the panel from the handle upwards. I've tried thumping it and pushing the panel inwards and nothing. I even got my dad to pull on it upwards as hard as he can while I wiggle and pry multiple flathead screwdrivers in the seams. And we also tried pushing and thumping it while he pulled. I went through countless guides online for my g3 revision. Text tutorials, video tutorials, user manuals, online forums. And even forums about my exact issue. And everyone seems to be able to remove the panel at one point. But I've been trying for days straight. And making little to no progress. It seems to be most jammed in this one spot (You can see in attached pictures). It's a miracle we haven't cracked anything yet. But I'm hoping that you guys maybe have something else I can try to finally remove this cover?

 

[Durosity]

Are you trying to pull it up, as in if it’s on its screen and you’re pulling towards the ceiling, or pulling towards you? In my experience they need just a good hard yank (as the actress said to the bishop). I’ve not yet broken a panel by doing it this way Of course with the plastics getting more brittle it’s always a possibility, but there’s lots of spares out there if you ended up needing one!

 

[Byrd]

Check the service manual, it recommend the best way to lift the panel and confirming needs more force than most plastic Apple parts. Once you get it off the repeated replacement is easier.

 

[RepairManiac]

The last Bondi Blue, that I reconditioned the other month, really did not want to come apart either. Never had this problem back in the day. I would assume that the plastics are breaking down to the point they are not releasing as intended. I normally pull back the area, top part that contains the screw, and try to yank upwards. I have broken many clips over the last few years disassembling the Bondi Blue and the slotload iMacs. The outside plastics are way more durable than the inner grey plastics for sure.

Might want to try a putty knife in that area (you can grind the edge to make it thinner).

I think next time, I will try some isopropyl alcohol in that area.
Maybe some heat.
Maybe ice/gel cold pack.

There has to be a trick