Finally part of the team! I'm here to give back the help you all have me!

[Extorter]

Hello, everyone! This is oddly exciting to finally join the Explorer Army!
I've been lurking on the out skirts for some time now, and due to ALL the great knowledge I've obtain from this site, I now feel it is my civil duty to return some knowledge back to you guys!
My mechanical expertise is mildly moderate, my interest to this forum is a bit obsessive, but mostly I'm here to help, as you all have done for me!
Through many a trips, hours, days and weeks at the local yards, I've gained some helpful information ( not quite as knowledgable with under the hood stuff, but definetly cosmetic ie: replacing fixing all the common parts like DOOR HANDLES, SEAT LEVERS, LIGHTING, LOCATING SPECIFICS, HOOD STRUTS, ) and even more parts then ill ever need... Trial and error right? Best part about the yards!
With all your guys help, I've stood up to the "Stealerships" and refuse to ever take my explore to another garage again! Freedom Alas haha.. Thanks

 

[BigRondo]

Welcome aboard!!

 

[swshawaii]

Great to hear. There should be a door repair sub forum, failures seem to
be a daily occurrence. Are all those lock and latch mechanisms necessary?

 

[Extorter]

Door problem

Indeed door problems go hand in hand when owning an Explorer. Not sure if I understand correctly, but are you currently in some kind of jam with your door? Had to do it, sorry. If so what's the problem. I've probably experienced it once or twice, and solutions to most of these " cosmetic" issues, are really much easier then many make it out to be. You have a problem with one of your doors? What's wrong?

 

[swshawaii]

I've got intermittent issues with both front door latches. Drivers side won't stay
unlocked after opening, passengers side sometimes locks halfway. Both actuators
seem strong. I suspect the latches internal springs are broken. I can live with them
for the time being, it's the puzzle of rods that intimidate me. Thanks for the offer.

 

[Extorter]

Sws HAWAII door problems

First off bear with me it's very early and I have to head to a job here soon, so this explanation might be a bit vague and quick. I'll elaborate later today, and take pictures of what i about to explain to you and a possible resolution to your problem.
Damg my brains hardly functioning at this hour haha, anyways it goes like this, and please excuse my lack of names of the offial parts off top of my head:
And I hope your talking about front doors cause that's what I'm about to refer to for possible solution.
1: open the door that harldy ever stays unlocked, and remove entire paneling completely out of your way, you'll need the wiggle room, trust me. Remove the "polester" type liner under the panel, taped to the door as well, definitely required to have access to the cut out holes and to obtain a visual of what your working with.

2: tools: a "dental" mirror that retracts 18 or so inches, and a flashlight.
3: as you looking at the naked door from the inside, you are going to locate a rod DEEP in the "back" end of door, I believe it's connected to the actual door lock switch that moves up and down when you lock/unlock car.
4. It's hard enough to reach your hand way back there, so fiddle with window half up/ all the way down , whichever it is that gets your hand with the dental mirror inside the door.
5: stick the dental mirror in, using flashlight to help guide, you to where this ROD connects to the door locking levers that move up and down
6, comtinue to slowly follow rod down 12/18 inches down you will notice a tiny yellow box/ switch that is used to hold that rod in place.
7: well this little yellow contraption, opens up, and that rod is basically free to move freely without being locked/ closed in by this yellow
Device. Make sure you get that rod running through the little yellow box and "close" the door on the rod.

I understand this is vague, I'm pressed for
Time right now, if this suggestion for your problem sounds like it might be what you need done after you tAke a look, let me know and I'll be more descriptive with pictures later, I hope I'm on the right track to what you were Asking, again it's very early :/

Don't give up on search for the yellow latch
Thing, it is deep and on the most inside/ incomvienent
location with inside the
Door, have patience
And get the dental mirror! HajHa
Maybe first squirt some wD-40 down
Locking latch/ knob first.

I came across a lady who hade a locked door
For 6 years, that Is until I identified her yellow latch box was open, should be closed onto rod

Let me know what happens good
Luck!

 

[swshawaii]

Extorter, I should have mentioned I've had both front door panels off many times, and removed the window channel for access. The yellow clip has been adjusted repeatedly without success. Replacing both door latches may be the only fix.

First pic- Added #104 spring did not repair. Second pic- Found broken spring end in drivers door latch.