Can't remove door panel/ 97 Explorer XLT

[explorerkatz]

I need to get into the driver door panel to troubleshoot the electric mirrors that aren't working, & for the life of me I cannot seem to remove door panel without fear of breaking something.

I have all visible screws removed, and the panel at the rear of the door springs a bit, but I cannot get the front part loose at all. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[David in NC]

You can just pull the panel away from the door and pull the plastic plugs out of the door. Doing this often messes up the plugs. You can get more from Ford or a body shop. There is also an upholstery tool you can use to release the plastic plugs holding the panel to the door. It looks like a wide screw driver with a bent tip and a slot cut in the tip. You use this to pry the plugs out of the door. You can get by with most any pry tool.

When all of the screws and plugs are removed, tilt the panel out to clear the inner latch and slide the panel straight up and out of the window slot. This may work better with the window down.

You will have to unplug the speaker, window and mirror switches to totally remove the panel, but you may be able to do the job with the panel hanging from the wiring harness. Be careful.

I hope this helps. David

 

[explorerkatz]

Thanks David,

I do have a door panel removal tool, I have used it before. I will lower the window & attempt to remove the panel It just seems very tight at that area, near the window & the front of the door area.

Seems like something is holding it from being pulled up as you mentioned...

 

[Joe Dirt]

It is just tight where the door panel meets the black weatherstrip.

If you're pulling (or pounding from the bottom of the panel) it will come off hard, especially if it hasn't been off before.

Remember, there is a slide-pin behind the sail trim. (Same height as the mirror) I had to reef on mine. Once the pins are pulled out and the screws are out, it's just friction holding it on.