2001 Explorer Rear Door Issues

[iamjoey]

We drive a handicapped student a few times a week, and we have a problem with the rear doors.
We have auto locks and a couple of times I've forgotten to unlock the doors before we drove up to his home. He has managed to spring the rear doors by pulling on the handle before the locks could be released.
Now both handles are sprung out and the doors won't open from the inside.
I've taken the panel off one door and managed to reset the lock, but it will only work one time and then locks up again.
Any idea as to what needs to be replaced or repaired?

 

[koda2000]

Sounds like he's broken the interior door handles. There's a little tooth that breaks off. They break pretty easily. You can get replacements on-line or most auto parts stores ($8-$15'ish). They're pretty easy to replace. I can give you instructions if you need them, or just Google it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/91-01-Explo...00|Model:Explorer&hash=item2a40516491&vxp=mtr

note 2 for $12.95 (left/right set)

The below video shows how to replace a front interior door handle, but the procedure for replacing the rear is almost identical.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7CkwILS8b8

 

[iamjoey]

Thanks koda 2000!

I'll give that a shot. Never thought the handle itself would break. I've already taken one out of the car, so replacement should not be a problem.
Thanks again. I'll post here when they are fixed.