Door handle cable
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From: Lakewood, Colorado
Door handle cable
Well I would post in the other fourm, but I seem to get more intellegent responses here.
How do I get the door handle cable off inside the door? How do I replace the cable?
How do I get the door handle cable off inside the door? How do I replace the cable?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,010
Likes: 5
From: Johnson City, TN.
What other forum? I thought this was "THE ONLY" forum. LOL
You will have to, obviously, remove the door panel. Then remove the door handle mechanism from the inside of the door. The cable is connected to that. Also to remove the cable from the latch I think you will either need to romove it or just take it loose so you can get to the cable attachment. Sorry, I can't remember that. It is really not all that hard just a little tedious.
What kind of problems are you having that you need to replace the cable?
If it is because it is getting stretched out you can fix that. I pulled the inner handle mechanism and removed the cable from it. Then I determined which way the steel cable was twisted in the casing. I then took some pliers and twisted the head of the cable in the same direction therefore making it tighter and slightly shorter. Then I carefully reattached it to the mechanism trying not to let it unspool on me then reinstall everything. Still works fine to this day.
You will have to, obviously, remove the door panel. Then remove the door handle mechanism from the inside of the door. The cable is connected to that. Also to remove the cable from the latch I think you will either need to romove it or just take it loose so you can get to the cable attachment. Sorry, I can't remember that. It is really not all that hard just a little tedious.
What kind of problems are you having that you need to replace the cable?
If it is because it is getting stretched out you can fix that. I pulled the inner handle mechanism and removed the cable from it. Then I determined which way the steel cable was twisted in the casing. I then took some pliers and twisted the head of the cable in the same direction therefore making it tighter and slightly shorter. Then I carefully reattached it to the mechanism trying not to let it unspool on me then reinstall everything. Still works fine to this day.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,010
Likes: 5
From: Johnson City, TN.
I would bet the cable is stretched. Mine did the same thing. I broke two pull handles because I had to yank it so hard. Then it finally quit working. The part I needed was very expensive so I just twisted the cable enough and it works like it is brand new now. Good luck.
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Southwest Georgia
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Lakewood, Colorado
I already bought the cable locally new for 12.95, just dont know how to get the part that attaches to the latch off and then put the new one on... guess ill have to take the latch assembly out.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,010
Likes: 5
From: Johnson City, TN.
IIRC you will have to remove the latch.
I believe the part that was worn on mine is the handle assembly. I am sure the cable was stretched out also.
I believe the part that was worn on mine is the handle assembly. I am sure the cable was stretched out also.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
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From: Belair md
you can just tweak the door handle (the metal part) to account for the worn cable. works great too.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Auburn
I just replaced mine not too long ago. There is a plastic cover over the latch that you need to remove before you can take of the bars that run to it loose. I had some trouble with this cover because it was so dark in the door. It looks like it just slides up and off, but it has a clip that runs across the bottom of the cover that you need to pop loose. It is hard to describe if you are not looking at it but you will see what I am talking about. I work 30 or so minutes trying to get that dang cover off before I realized it was latched on. Hope this helps. Adam
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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From: ST JOHNS, MI
That is what I did just a few weeks ago on the 96PSDF250 and on the 95F150 a few years ago.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 86
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From: NE Kansas
I just replaced this on my truck. Took me some time to figure it out too. If you can get a drop light in the door it will help.
I removed the inside door handle from the door and used a screwdriver to pop the plastic retainer loose (It is tight). This allows for easy removal of the cable on this end. On the other end, lift the plastic/vinyl latch cover up and tuck in behind/around. It has a christmas tree thingy holding it at the top. I didn't even try to get this out. Just tucked it up and over. Then, with a small pair of right angle needle nose pliers I popped the other end off the latch and removed the cable. Assembly is basically the reverse of removal.
I also R/R the entire latch assembly on the other door. It took about two hours from start to finish so if you don't have to remove it, I wouldn't. The only benefit of removing the entire assembly is that it allowed me to clean and lube in a very precise manner.
I can post pics if you need them. I have an old latch assembly out of the truck that will allow you to see all of the parts.
I removed the inside door handle from the door and used a screwdriver to pop the plastic retainer loose (It is tight). This allows for easy removal of the cable on this end. On the other end, lift the plastic/vinyl latch cover up and tuck in behind/around. It has a christmas tree thingy holding it at the top. I didn't even try to get this out. Just tucked it up and over. Then, with a small pair of right angle needle nose pliers I popped the other end off the latch and removed the cable. Assembly is basically the reverse of removal.
I also R/R the entire latch assembly on the other door. It took about two hours from start to finish so if you don't have to remove it, I wouldn't. The only benefit of removing the entire assembly is that it allowed me to clean and lube in a very precise manner.
I can post pics if you need them. I have an old latch assembly out of the truck that will allow you to see all of the parts.
Last edited by notiones; Mar 7, 2009 at 08:18 AM. Reason: add text
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25
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From: Billings, MT
So I have a little bit different problem. My interior handle has never given me any problems - no hard pull, no broken handles, nothing to indicate a problem.
Then last weekend, it acted like it seized up. I cannot get it to move, and I don't want to break the handle off. I took the door panel off and tried to get the latch assembly out, but there are so damn many linkages between the outer latch, lock, inner handle, and PDL actuator that I was not too keen on screwing with it much more.
And that plastic shroud around where the cable connects to the latch is a real pain in the @$$ - I could not figure out how to get it off. I will try to do what rusty9cab said and see if I can fix it. I am stumped because there were no signs of problems. Any ideas what the problem might be?
Then last weekend, it acted like it seized up. I cannot get it to move, and I don't want to break the handle off. I took the door panel off and tried to get the latch assembly out, but there are so damn many linkages between the outer latch, lock, inner handle, and PDL actuator that I was not too keen on screwing with it much more.
And that plastic shroud around where the cable connects to the latch is a real pain in the @$$ - I could not figure out how to get it off. I will try to do what rusty9cab said and see if I can fix it. I am stumped because there were no signs of problems. Any ideas what the problem might be?
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25
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From: Billings, MT
Nevermind. I figured out that it is actually the linkage between the mounting plate for the handle and the bracket that pulls the cable. The pin between the two has worn into the bracket, causing th pivot point to jam. Now I just gotta find a good one at a junkyard!
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,207
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From: Kearney, Nebr
I need to do this... If you have pictures please post them.
One thing to remember to is look at your door pins. I noticed my door was sagging and that's probably why everything got out of whack. I replaced the pins lastweekend, but still haven't messed with the door handle yet.
I thought the cable was a ford only item?
One thing to remember to is look at your door pins. I noticed my door was sagging and that's probably why everything got out of whack. I replaced the pins lastweekend, but still haven't messed with the door handle yet.
I thought the cable was a ford only item?