Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Door Panel Removal

Could someone explain the process for removal of the interior door panel? I need to try and access door latch...driver's side door won't close...

Thanks,
John

Compliments of Crutchfield...
Clicky...Clicky...

The one place I had the most trouble with was finding the last screws. I'm sure you got off all the screws around the edges/under but didn't know about the 2 huge screws inside the handle! I hacked up my handle a bit and I don't think there is any way to avoid it but the part if you damage it is very cheap. What you need to do is take the center area out of the handle. It looks like it is one peice but the part inside the stretched out oval is actually a plastic snap in. It has the qualities of tupperware so be carefull when getting it off. The best place to pry it off would be from the bottom center using a very small screwdriver or butter knife. You need to jimmy it a bit to get it up, under and in. then tilt the handle down. You'll notice a gap and using the dull side of the butter knife slide it to the right or left. While you're in there I'd replace the green light bulb. They have a habbit of burning out. Or do what I did and replace it with blue LED bulb which will never burn out and looks very nice. You'll have to change all that way but you'll most likely never need to take the panel off again. Once you get the hang of it it's easy. It's just a matter of getting all the screws and sort of lift and pull towards the inside of the car. Oh and by the way, ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW FIRST!

Ive found the easiest way to get the center piece off the handle is to put a 90 degree bend in a butter knife. Slide the bent part in, and use it as a hook to pull it out.

there's a hole on the underside of the handle. stick a screwdriver in and pop the handle panel out from the back.

I didnt know that. Learn something new everyday

Well I got the door panel off....thanks for the advice/links...

NOW, I'm having another problem....I'm trying to remove the door latch(power)

Anyone know how to do this? The levers attached seem really difficult to remove or even reach...

Should i just give up and take it to a shop?

Anyone know how much this part may run?

Thanks,
John

door latch, what? the handle or what? There is a screw under the cap in the door release handle cup. After you unscrew that, that cup comes out with the door panel. The handle itself is just attached with some screws, accessible after you peel back the moisture guard.

Originally posted by jdtower:

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I'm trying to remove the door latch(power)

Anyone know how to do this?

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The following is from the Ford TSP. You might need to get a Chiltons (or Haynes) manual to help you out with diagrams:

Front Door Latch Removal and Installation

1. Remove door handle/latch assembly as outlined.
2. Release clip retaining front door latch control cylinder rod (22134) to front door latch (21812).
3. Release clip retaining latch bracket to front door latch.
4. Rotate front door outside door handle (22404) to release front door latch actuating rod (22152) to front door latch. Remove front door latch from front door handle.
5. Remove two screws retaining power door lock actuator (218A42) from front door latch. Remove power door lock actuator.
6. Remove cover from front door latch.
7. CAUTION: Carefully align power door lock actuator to front door latch. Failure to properly align power door lock actuator to front door latch will result in damage to power door lock actuator.
Pull front door latch remote control link (21940) from bracket on front door latch. Remove front door latch remote control link.
8. To install, reverse Removal procedure.