Help: Drivers Exterior Door Handle Replacement

[02explorer347]

Hello everyone,

I'm very new to this and working on my explorer. I'm trying to do some of my own mechanic work so it will hopefully save me money and maybe impress my wife one day.

Anyways, I need help replacing my driver side exterior door handle for my 2002 XLS. Well, part of it broke during a cold night when I didn't have much patience. The door still opens but it could become a problem later on down the road.

I've seen door handle replacements for older models but nothing about a 2002 so any help would be much appreciated. Step-by-step instructions would be great!

I just purchased a new door handle for $16 plus shipping/handling and it should be arriving later this week so I hope to be working on it then.

Thanks!

 

[02explorer347]

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[dannym52fire]

I have never done anything with the door handels, but my guess is you will have to take off the interior door panel and remove the old handel, install the new one and connect the linkages just like they were before. It shouldn't be too difficult. Just my two cents

 

[BigRondo]

Here is a great thread for removing the door panel, thanks to borland for the awesome write-up:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249253

Hope this helps out!

 

[RICPDB]

I have the same problem. Cold morning, a little ice, too hard of a tug on the handle (last winter.) Now it's hanging by the mechanism end of things. It still functions, but I've ordered a replacement handle and intend on replacing it soon. I haven't found any instructions for this. I am already in the door panel replacing a defective master switch for the window. I can see the inside of the exterior door handle, but it doesn't look very easy to access. I only see one bolt. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[02explorer347]

Just completed the repair today. It was actually very simple except the bolts were kind of hard to access. They really don't give you much room to work with inside the door.

Basically, just follow others' posts in regards to taking off the door panel. Then, find the (2) bolts holding the broken handle and take them off. One of them will also be holding the key hole in place, which you'll see. Pull the old handle out and disconnect it from the actuator rod. Slide the new handle on and connect with the actuator rod, put the bolts back on, and tighten them up. Replace the door panel and done.

It took me about 2 hours but that was because I have window problems too. The glass is off its tracks or something. That will be my next project. Anybody have any ideas?

So you can easily get this done in 1 hour. Good Luck!

 

[RICPDB]

I repaired mine today as well. Thought I would go ahead and document it.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2501187#post2501187

I also had window problems. It took me a while to diagnose the problem, but it turned out to be the switch. I think a quick way to determine if it is the motor or track is to jump the motor straight from the battery. I did this just to get my window up before it rained. In the process, I derermined that it was just the switch. I hear that a lot of people replace the entire regulator unit on these Explorers pretty often too. I'm glad mine was just the switch this time. $50 repair.

 

[BigRondo]

Glad you got it fixed!

It took me about 2 hours but that was because I have window problems too. The glass is off its tracks or something. That will be my next project. Anybody have any ideas?

This thread may help out with the window issue, it is a great write up by Dr_Z: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243401

 

[02explorer347]

RICPDB, mine broke in the same exact spot as yours. Good job on the write up!

Thanks BigRondo...I'm still trying to diagnose the problem with the window...When I was repairing the door handle I took a look but could not determine the problem. The motor still has power and the silver cable moves in and out of the black plastic tubing but I'm not sure where it goes? I think its off track some where, it just hangs down so I think that might be the problem.