I just bought 2 new door lock actuators and i pulled the door panel off the driver side and just can't seem to get to them. Do i have to remove the door latch to get to them?

 

Ok, i finally got fed-up and took the time and figured out how to replace my door lock actuators. I have a little article that might help some of you out there with the same problem, i took a few pics to help the article on.

NOTE: I am not responseable for any damages that might occur while doing this, i am not a Ford mechanic nor am i linked with Ford in any way also i am not saying that this procedure will work on any other year than a 1999.
Now that that is out fo the way here goes.....

First thing you have to do is remove the door panel there are 2ea 7mm screws, one is behind the switch panel and one is behind the reflector/light at the bottom of the door. After removing the swrews the cover for the side mirrors needs to be removed. Now you can remove the door panel by pulling straight up on it, i didn't have to remove the switches mine did fit through the hole for the wiring.

Now with the door panel you can access the door lock actuator. This is not an easy task, it is mounted to the door latch. there is an about 1 1/2" square hole in which i stuck a screwdriver into to pry the actuator away from me towards the outer door skin, there is a clip built into the actuator, what i did having new ones already is basically broke the top tab off of the old actuator already in the truck and it came off. after having the old actuator off i then unplugged it and removed the harness clip that is on the top of the actuator. Now with the old one compleatly i had ot reach back into the door and remove the rest of the old actuator off of the door latch. Now with that out of the way you have to be a king of contortionist to get the new one back in. It is actually quite easy as long as you get the tabs lined up properly before you slide the new one on to the latch. With thenew one installed you can reach into the door and plug it in, also remember to get the harness mount put back into place so it dosen't interfere with the window.

Now all you have to do is put the door panel back on and enjoy power locks again. Hope this helps i know that i looked for articles on this with no luck.


i couldn't figure how to get hte pics in the post so if anyone needs the pics or can help me to get the pics posted just e-mail me.mein2xshp@yahoo.com