Has anyone replaced the door handle cable on a 95 F-150? I've broken one handle already trying to get the door open. The cable seems to be sticking. It sometimes won't unlatch the door when you pull up on the handle. What's the degree of dificulty on this? Do I need any special tools? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Anything you try to do to the cable will require taking off the door panel and pulling the plastic shield off the door interior - don't tear it it keeps water off inside of door and trim panel. Have you tried spraying some WD 40 etc into end of cable housing at release handle and or latch end? Also try lubricating latch mechanism from end of door - if this doesn't work remove panel and access cable thru holes in inner panel. Check to see if binding is in cable or in the release arm on the latch prior to buying parts. Looks like cable ends have a plastic (?) clip to retain end to linkage in pictures in manual.

 

The cable in my 93 completely broke. I didn't want to use a junkyard part...auto parts stores didn't carry them...so, I went to the good ole Ford Parts Department. Of course you can't buy just the cable...you have to buy the whole latch assembly to the tune of almost $100 if I remember correctly. Man, what a rip-off that was...the cable looks to be about a $8-$10 item. No, it wasn't a hard job to do. Acutally it was easier to just take the cable off the new latch and replace that, than it would have been to replace the whole shoot'n match. Good luck.

REX

 

Are you still in need of door cable? I had same problem. The easy way is that you could check on the recall. I know that there was one on my truck 92 F-150, I went to the ford website and ran my VIN and it gave me all recalls that my truck had. THe door cable was one that was covered and since it was a safety recall Ford told me that it was good for the life of the truck no matter the age or mileage.

Also, I came across one the other night on ebay for 16.95 (just the cable) ( I don't know if I'm allowed to post a link here but you can email me for it).

Good Luck

 

I also had the same problem with my 92. I didn't know it was a safety recall though. I'll have to check into it. The pivot point in the handle mechanism was wore. I welded some steel back into the wore spot and lubed it real good. It works fine now. I don't think there is an adjustment in there.

I just checked and llbcd is right. There is a recall on this item but I'll have to see if mine is included in it.

 

Thanks alot guys. I will check the Ford website and see what I come up with. I haven't torn it apart yet as the weather hasn't been to cooperative lately. It's been darn cold here lately for March.

 

Well guys got the cable off of ebay 26.95 with shipping. Just changed it. Found that the cable wouldn't have broke if the spring mechanism on the inside handle had been cleaned and lubricated cable may have lasted alot longer. Good news now is that I can get out of my truck without rolling down the window --really sucks when it is raining. lol

 

You broke the handle but the cable is probably OK. I think your door latch isn't responding when the cable is doing its job. Same thing happened to me and my 92. Are you also having problems with the outside door button, key, and is it hard to push or pull the interior locking button? Two things go wrong with those locks: 1. The latch assembly itself was made with some very weak or too thin stamped metal. This leads to binding of the latches internal parts when for some reason the metal assembly becomes mis-aligned, i.e. door slamming, and every day wear and tear. This is fixed by good old fashioned tear it out and put it back together as best as you can. 2. Dirt. My latch was seizing up after 10 years and was clogged with lots of black dirt and the grease was just about non-existent. When I reworked my latch I bent the parts back to where I thought they should have been, degreased and cleaned the latch and loaded it up with new lithium grease. The type of lubricant used is optional, there may be better grease, but I use white lithium.
Be very careful if you decide to remove the door latch assy. The three flathead screws that hold the door are held in with thread-lock and are very soft, the heads will strip out very easily, and the edge of the door is made of very thin sheet metal. The sheet metal is easy to push in if you apply too much force on those 3 screws that hold the lock. Just be very careful when trying any repairs on the door locks the whole system is complicated and all the parts are made of less than bulletproof material!! Good Luck

 

My outside door handle works flawlessly. It's the inside one that gives me fits. When it warms up I'm going to tackle this job. I'll let you know how it turns out. Sounds like an all day project.
Thanks for the info!
Bob

 

Actually if you take the hadle off the door and the latch assembly out of the door,clean them real well the cables come off and go real easy. Good Luck and yes warm weather always helps. Except in my case where my a/c is out. lol

 

hello to all. i have a 96 f150. the door cable broke on me & i am now trying to replace it. i am at the point of removing the latch assy. i have the 3 screws out & levers removed. the only one (and this may be my problem) i haven't removed is the lever that goes to the lock. must the lock be removed to do this? i see the clip that needs slid out to remove it. the lever is there but i can't find a way to unattach it. everything is loose & movable. any ideas? is there a place that gives step by step on how to do this? i think i have the hard part done (the 3 screws) but are in need of more advice b-4 i break something.....LOL

thanks ahead of time
dave

 

I ended up taking it to a body shop and they had to replace the latch. It was worn out. Sorry I didn't get back to you guys earlier. I forgot I had posted anything till now. My bad.

 

hi, fyI, yes you do have to take lock out to remove latch. 1st thing after removing is to look to see how lever's (that are still on latch) are attached to the latch. i had one fall off & took me a while to figure out how went back on. it was the one that was attached to the lock. luckaly i got it right the 1st time & didn't have to fish the whole latch, cables & levers back out again. not fun.......LOL. i am ready now to put 3 screws back in & connect levers. didn't take as long as i thought. also sprayed everything real good b-4 putting back in. hope this helps someone else trying to do this. any questions just ask & i'll try to help.

later
dd

 

My husband is in the process of replacing the cable on his 94 F 150. He worked on it this afternoon but would desperately love to see a diagram. Any help?
LuvmyExplorer

 

I have a 92 econoline 350 van, the back right door cable broke and was laying in the bottm, i know i need a new one, but how can i open it until i get one.thanks