1998 F150 Lariat

I have a rattle in the door and the lock is now having difficulty. Seems that it might be a loose bolt, but the door panel doesn't want to give at the bottom. Is a special tool needed or does it pop out?

Thanks

 

Do not force the panel out, you'll break the tabs at the bottom. You need to pull it straight UP, assuming the few screws have been taken off already.

 

the only screw I can find is holding the door handle on. where should I look for screws? it's all electric.

 

On a 98 I think there is a screw behind the the reflector light and you pull off the vertical trim piece on the tope edge and there is screw there too.

From the FAQ post at the top of this forum:

: How do I remove my door panels?

A: It depends on the panel style, but most you just pop off the upper trim pieces on either side, and pop out the retainers. If you have power windows pull off the switch plate and disconnect the power leads and set the switches and plate aside. Pull the escutcheon plate around the inner latch handle which just snaps into place. There will be one screw under that latch handle escutcheon plate. Remove that screw. Not all door panels have two upper trim pieces so if yours only has one then remove it and that retainer under it. If you have all the retainers out then simply grasp the bottom of the panel and give it a tug upward. The door panel has a bunch of hooks on the back side and you are simply unhooking them from the panel. The panel should then lift off and you just disconnect the courtesy lamp from the socket if equipped. Reverse order for installation. Some older model panels didnt have the escutcheon plate around the inner latch handle and just have a small trim piece you remove, and then you remove the handle itself with an 8 mm socket tool. Also some have an additional screw just inside the area where you pulled off the switch plate. If you missed a screw you will know as that panel will not budge. Some models may also have a screw hidden behind the lens on the courtesy light. If the lens is removable you will be able to tell by the indention in it made for a small screw driver to pop it out. (Thanks to HomerWinzlow for that answer)

 

Thanks for the help guru, got it off. Looks like I'm going to have to replace the electric lock on that side as it recently began to stop working spuratically. The driver's door doesn't always want to unlock until I lock/unlock again. Like it's getting stuck. I heard a loose part in the door which may be the worn plastic clips holding the lock shaft in place along the door. I'm looking for some replacement pieces, hope the motor isn't a big job. I'll look around for some insight on that.

Thanks again for your help.