Need some help getting a door with a broken latch opened. I have a 1998 E150, no power locks. My drivers door will not open from the inside or the outside. Both the inside and outside handles feel like they are operating the latch. I have not tried to remove the inside panel yet, but with a flash lite I can see thru the top of the window and the latch hardware seems to be moving. I believe the latch has broken inside. Does anyone know of a way to release the latch from the top of the door or with the inside panel removed? Can I drill the rivets on the outside handle and remove it to operate it? Any and all help appreciated!!

 

I've done a number of door handles on my 96 vans. If you know how stuff is supposed to move, you can see it from the inside with the panel removed. Memory is faded a little, but I think the actual latch mechanism is too low to see from the exterior handle opening.

 

Thanks for the reply schloss. You are quite rite about not being able to see much.I have a 98 E250 van also, so I am going to remove the inside panel on it today and see if I can figure out a way to operate the latch and at least get the door open to procede on the 150. Details to follow.

 

Once you remove the panels you will see these cable and if it is the same as our they are bowden cables. The white plastic holding device that is molded on the cables to hold them onto the door lever and latch breaks. So there is lost motion and latch can't be opened. Sometimes you can use tie wraps to hold them in place to get more motion. The parts cost $59 to $99 depending on which door. Unfortunately you have to buy the cables and door latch.

 

6C2Z1521813A .. Left Front Door Latch Assy.

Fits: 1996/2007 Econolines (6C2Z-1521813-A replaced F6UZ-1521813-AB)

MSRP: $77.20 / FTEpartsguy.com price: $55.58

 

This is a cheap and easy fix... once you get the cables out of the door that is

 

Hey everyone,

Same issue, all of my cargo doors on my e350 van have bad cable ends. I have the dorman metal cable end kit, but I cannot for the life of me get the door latch assy off the riveted attachment point. Once you had it off did it look like you would slide it up or down? How do you think I can get this assy off without drilling the rivet?

Thanks!

 

Here is an install video

 

Which rivet are you trying to work around? One holding something to the door shell or a rivet on the latch assembly proper?

FWIW I've replaced entire latches, just the cables and have used the metal repair ends but never had to remove any rivets other than those holding the door handle to the door shell. Those can be replaced with 1/4-20 bolts and Nylok nuts, 3/4" length maximum.

 

I figured it out. In order to remove the latch assy and the electrical crap below it without removing the rivet, I had to stick a screwdriver in the wings of the bracket which is riveted on and hold the little electric box. Once you pry one wing open it's easy to twist the electric box and pull directly away from the rivet to get it loose! Hope this helps someone!

I now have 4 working doors where before I had none!!!

 

I'm having big problem installing new latch inn 1991 E150. 4 rods to get in proper position while moving latch into position is proving to be too mucy for arthritic hands , Anyone done this? Have any tips?