I was trying to replace both of my rear door latches on my 95 Explorer Limited. The reason, because sometimes I can not open the doors from the inside. I check the door handles -platic assamblies- and they were both fine, however the problem exist and I was left with the thought of just changing the latches.

Everything was fine -removing the panel, electric connectors and even removing the 3 bolts that hold the latch in place-. When it came time to remove the link from the door's electric actuator. It seems there is no way to manipulate this thing so that the rod and link can be removed from the latch. I'm mean this thing is got an S bent on it that I can not figure how to twist it so that I can take this rod out.

The only way possible that I can see, is by drilling out the rivet wich hold the door's actuator -the part that opens and locks the door fitted with an electrical power door.

Now that seems stupid to me, and shame on Ford to engineer such a part who by nature of use, seem to be so open to failure. To think that I need to un rivet a part in order to remove it, seems to me that someone is not thinking ahead.

Has anyone removed these door latches from the back door of a 4 door explorer? If so, what is the best way to remove the linking rods from the latch?

Hoping someone can read this message this weekend so I can complete my weekend job

Thanks in advance

Ed

 

I have dealt with this problem a million times and have found that 99 percent of the time it was the plastic interior door handles. I have rarely seen the latches cause it to be hard to get the doors open from the inside, Please recheck the plastic interior door handles because they are week and wear out frequently!

 

Exactly what he said - you'll see posts regarding those interior door handles, because they're so poorly engineered. There is nothing )or next to nothing) about the latches because they rarely fail.

I did buy the interior handles two at a time for awhile, but for some reason the people riding in the back started going easier on the opening of the door and I haven't had to replace in in over two years.

Good luck

 

I have the same problem with my 2000 mountaineer. I removed the panel and didn't see a problem with the handle. Then i noticed a broken spring in my latch mechanism. After some investigating i figured this spring is needed for the latch to unlock, it holds an arm rearward so that it can come down to the unlock position. I see no way to remove this latch so it can be repaired with the power door lock actuator rivited in place as it is. Does anyone know how i can replace this spring??

 

i have the exact same problem...spring inside of latch assembly broke.....pain in the *** having to reach through the door panel and jimmy the lock linkage.....anyone know how to gt these linkages off the latch? please help before i loose control and rip it out......many thanks

 

Same problem with my 98 Explorer. I have the new part but cant get the old one out. Do i have to drill out the rivit????

 

The door latches fail all the time!!!! Here is a copy of a post on my thread with the same problem. Hope it helps. If your hear anything let me know.



i can help you..... i also have a '98....i had the same problem... it took me a little while to fig it out but, it's accually easier then it looks.

( i'm trying to do this by memory so bear with me)
1. Unscrew the assembly
2. Remove the rod that connects the inside door handle to the assembly. (to do this you have to remove the inside handle)
3.there's a rod that connects the assembly to the out side handle unclip it./
4. the rod that goes striaght up i believe you need to lock the door to remove it... i had it unlocked and ended up bending it. ( the reason i think that will work is because when you lock it the rod lowers down)
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