Broken handle on the outside of the rear hatch.

michaeldfv · 03-12-2010, 05:10 PM

Hey, the handle for the back door on my 2003 explorer sport xlt is not opening my door at all. you can still pull it and it springs right back like its supposed to but I can tell that its just not catching on anything. I need to fix this problem. I cant even get my spare down without opening the back door. If anyone has any advice or solutions PLEASE let me know.

*Sams01XplrSprt* · 03-12-2010, 08:19 PM

welcome and that sux bout ur broken back door handle

msilver · 03-12-2010, 08:34 PM

have u tried taking off the panel to see whats going on in there? maybe it came unhooked

michaeldfv · 03-13-2010, 05:14 PM

I've already thought about taking the door panel off but the thing is, I have to open the door to do that, and right now i dont know how open the door

**BrooklynBay** · 03-13-2010, 09:42 PM

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section. Your door won't release from the inside or the outside (both handles don't work)?

michaeldfv · 03-13-2010, 10:13 PM

there is no handle inside the door, only on the outside

**BrooklynBay** · 03-13-2010, 10:17 PM

I was thinking of a 4 door model. You have the sport. I will change the title to say: Broken handle on the outside of the rear hatch.

cjryan · 04-01-2010, 01:47 AM

I have the same problem. The newer style hatch on the 2nd gens. One day when I went to open the rear hatch the plastic mechanism broke. Now the handle is loose and doesn't work. Has anyone else had this problem and fixed it?

*gijoecam* · 04-01-2010, 10:07 AM

You don't need to open the tailgate to remove the trim panel. It certainly makes the job easier, but it's not necessary. Flip the seats down so you have some space to work... Two screws in the grab handle, one screw next to the window latch (speaking of which, does the window open? If not you'll have to 'modify' the plastic a bit), pop the trim off around the top and sides of the window, pull up on the panel and it's off. The back window will need to be open, but if it won't unlock either, you'll have to get it loose, then cut/break the bottom where it hooks under the window latch to get it out of the way.

Once inside, I suspect you'll find either a link that came loose, busted plastic clip, or the actuator isn't moving all the way to unlock the tailgate.

Good luck!

FordExploderXlt · 04-03-2010, 10:57 AM

i dont have that problem but on the inside the handle is rusted badly so i cut a hole on the inside so u can just pull the bar back and forth if it gets stuck would probaly work same for u and if u gotta replace the handle good luck cuz mine is stuck on there cuz i cant find a way to get to the 2nd bolt and the 1st 1 is rusted on

bairdp · 07-12-2010, 02:51 AM

Rear door latch stopped operating. I read gijoecam's post and tried it today. Hard to tear into the inside door panel but, opened the window, removed the inside pull strap and from inside the truck, pried the inside door cover clips off starting with the window top and working down each side, lifted the panel up to clear the lower panel fasteners. Then carefully removed the glued plastic cover from the door. Found the link rod between the handle and release mechanism hanging loose. The plastic nut on the back of the linkage clip on the door handle had broken off and the clip had twisted enough to open and release the linkage. With no drawing to follow it was a challange to figure how the linkage was supposed to work but straightened the clip put the linkage in and closed it. Worried that the clip might come loose again I screwed a 3/8" stainless steel sheet metal screw with washer into the open end of the clip mounting tube and buttoned it all up. You guys are the greatest.

Papia77 · 07-03-2011, 08:58 AM

Were u able to get the panel off without breaking any of the clips?

bairdp · 07-04-2011, 02:00 AM

Yes, the repair was a success completely. By paying attention the direction of the clip as you pry it out you can remove the panel with no breaks. It's delicate work but possible with some care. beb

Papia77 · 07-05-2011, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bairdp

Yes, the repair was a success completely. By paying attention the direction of the clip as you pry it out you can remove the panel with no breaks. It's delicate work but possible with some care. beb

Wish me luck.

03-12-2010, 05:10 PM	#1
michaeldfv Wannabe Elite Explorer NC 2003 Sport XLT Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Broken handle on the outside of the rear hatch. Hey, the handle for the back door on my 2003 explorer sport xlt is not opening my door at all. you can still pull it and it springs right back like its supposed to but I can tell that its just not catching on anything. I need to fix this problem. I cant even get my spare down without opening the back door. If anyone has any advice or solutions PLEASE let me know.

03-12-2010, 08:19 PM	#2
Sams01XplrSprt Southern Cali Explorer Newport Beach California & Bay Area California 2001 Sport (sold) Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 15,632 Vehicle Specs	welcome and that sux bout ur broken back door handle __________________ 2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0 sohc engine. Mods include: dual 40 series flowmasters & high flow k&n air filter & removed silencer & yellow fog lights (sold for $1,800) as of 2-26-12

03-12-2010, 08:34 PM	#3
msilver Wannabe Elite Explorer St. Joseph Il. Carbondale Il. 94 XLT Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 112 Vehicle Specs	have u tried taking off the panel to see whats going on in there? maybe it came unhooked __________________ -REDNECK MUDDER- 94 Explorer XLT 4X4 4.0 OHV 2" lift 32x11.5.15r Wildcountrys camo trim on the outside, camo interior 4 sale at the right price

03-13-2010, 09:42 PM	#5
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,813 Vehicle Specs	Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section. Your door won't release from the inside or the outside (both handles don't work)? __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

03-13-2010, 10:17 PM	#7
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,813 Vehicle Specs	I was thinking of a 4 door model. You have the sport. I will change the title to say: Broken handle on the outside of the rear hatch. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

03-13-2010, 05:14 PM	#4
michaeldfv Wannabe Elite Explorer NC 2003 Sport XLT Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I've already thought about taking the door panel off but the thing is, I have to open the door to do that, and right now i dont know how open the door

03-13-2010, 10:13 PM	#6
michaeldfv Wannabe Elite Explorer NC 2003 Sport XLT Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	there is no handle inside the door, only on the outside

04-01-2010, 01:47 AM	#8
cjryan Wannabe Elite Explorer CA 2000 XL 4.0 OHV 4x4 Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 122 Vehicle Specs	I have the same problem. The newer style hatch on the 2nd gens. One day when I went to open the rear hatch the plastic mechanism broke. Now the handle is loose and doesn't work. Has anyone else had this problem and fixed it?

04-01-2010, 10:07 AM	#9
gijoecam Village Idiot Trenton, MI 98 ExSport, '00 F-150 Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 8,345 Vehicle Specs	You don't need to open the tailgate to remove the trim panel. It certainly makes the job easier, but it's not necessary. Flip the seats down so you have some space to work... Two screws in the grab handle, one screw next to the window latch (speaking of which, does the window open? If not you'll have to 'modify' the plastic a bit), pop the trim off around the top and sides of the window, pull up on the panel and it's off. The back window will need to be open, but if it won't unlock either, you'll have to get it loose, then cut/break the bottom where it hooks under the window latch to get it out of the way. Once inside, I suspect you'll find either a link that came loose, busted plastic clip, or the actuator isn't moving all the way to unlock the tailgate. Good luck! __________________ -98 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, K&N drop-in, LEMON in progress! -'00 F-150, mucho mods *"We need to allow Darwinism take it's course and let the idiots weed themselves out of existance."* ~ Rick Horwitz We must believe in free will — we have no choice. ~ Isaac Bashevis Singer I'm not smart, just a resourceful idiot. ~ Me

04-03-2010, 10:57 AM	#10
FordExploderXlt Wannabe Elite Explorer Ohio '95 XLT Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 7 Vehicle Specs	i dont have that problem but on the inside the handle is rusted badly so i cut a hole on the inside so u can just pull the bar back and forth if it gets stuck would probaly work same for u and if u gotta replace the handle good luck cuz mine is stuck on there cuz i cant find a way to get to the 2nd bolt and the 1st 1 is rusted on

07-12-2010, 02:51 AM	#11
bairdp Wannabe Elite Explorer Pacifica, California 03 Sport XLT Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs	Many Thanks Rear door latch stopped operating. I read gijoecam's post and tried it today. Hard to tear into the inside door panel but, opened the window, removed the inside pull strap and from inside the truck, pried the inside door cover clips off starting with the window top and working down each side, lifted the panel up to clear the lower panel fasteners. Then carefully removed the glued plastic cover from the door. Found the link rod between the handle and release mechanism hanging loose. The plastic nut on the back of the linkage clip on the door handle had broken off and the clip had twisted enough to open and release the linkage. With no drawing to follow it was a challange to figure how the linkage was supposed to work but straightened the clip put the linkage in and closed it. Worried that the clip might come loose again I screwed a 3/8" stainless steel sheet metal screw with washer into the open end of the clip mounting tube and buttoned it all up. You guys are the greatest.

07-03-2011, 08:58 AM	#12
Papia77 Wannabe Elite Explorer 2003 sport Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs	Were u able to get the panel off without breaking any of the clips?

07-04-2011, 02:00 AM	#13
bairdp Wannabe Elite Explorer Pacifica, California 03 Sport XLT Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs	clips Yes, the repair was a success completely. By paying attention the direction of the clip as you pry it out you can remove the panel with no breaks. It's delicate work but possible with some care. beb