I have a 1998 Eddie Bauer edition that i have only had for about a year. The rear wiper half worked when I got it. Then my husband would have shake the wiper for it to work. Now, it has been sitting for 3 monthes, the wiper won't work at all. Neither will the washer fluid. Can any one tell me or give me a diagram of how to pop the plastic panel from the inside of the back hatch without breaking the clips or anything else? My dad was going to check the motor out to see if there might just be a loose wire or bad connection but we were leery of breaking something while trying. When I bought 'Eddie' used, there was NO owners manual or any other documentation in the vehicle whatsoever. Any help will be appreciated dudes.

 

i put a flat blade screw driver under the head and pry the plastic retainers up about 1/8 inch. then get a set of needle nose pliers and push under the head and grab the sides. you need to put a 1/2 inch wood block or something under the pliers next to the clip so you can push down as a lever and pop them out. dont worry about breaking them, they are pretty tough. about 4-5 across the top, couple screws in the center by the handle, then lift off.

 

If it is like my 97 you also need to take out the screw that is down by the lock actuator. There is a plastic cover there you pry out and under that is a screw. The you take off the handle that inside the door to allow you to pull it down (two screws under there). Then you need to take the four (maybe five) retainers that are visible out at the top of the door.

Those are the ones I can remember for sure. The panel might come off at that time... you sort of lift towards the top of the door to get it out as it sits on two guides down at the bottom.

However, my memory is not too clear about the last time I did this (a few years ago now)... and there might be a few of those "standard" pop in holders under it... I can just not recall.

 

Try this:
http://www.siriusnet.net/fordexplore...%20Repair.html

Scucci

 

Yow! Great resource, thanks for the link.

 

Im going to use these instructions this weekend and get the thing fixed. Will post back with results. Thanks scucci. Fantastic instructions!

 

Hope it helps you. Good luck on the repair.

Scucci