How the hell do you get the latch out

[double_take]

How do you get the latch out

Can someone tell me how to get the latch out of the drivers door without breaking anything. Oh it's a 98 Sport

I need to replace/repair it. It won't unlock all the time. I've traced the problem so something in the latch it's self but I can't seem to disconnect all the rods to get it out.

What I've done so far:

took door panel off.
removed interior handle. (2 screws then slide forward)
disconnected rod for exterior handle. (little clip that i had to flip to release)
took out latch screws in door jam. (3 total)

now the problem. I can't see enough to figure out how to get the rod for the key to diconnect. and is there any way to disconnect the power lock solenoid without popping the rivet?

Thanks
Rich

 

[Bill Kemp]

I cant help you but I'll tell you what I'd do.
Drive over to a body shop and ask them what to do. Body shops do a lot of door work so they should know.
Good luck....

 

[Glacier991]

The early Ex's had a clip that went on the rod end, and then swung up and clipped onto it. Not sure if it is still that way

 

[stubborn1]

Do a search here on door latches, its been covered a few times before and I think a post or two may have pictures.

Since I just replaced my drivers side latch about a month ago, here is what I did:

1. Remove interior door panel and interior handle.
2. Disconnnect the power door lock actuator from the door. (I didn't have any rivets to remove, just two phillips screws). Disconnect the actuator from the rod.
3. Remove the key cylinder to release the rod. There should be one clip you can pull out with a pair of pliers to release the cylinder and then the rod will slide out of the clip. You can re-install the cylinder right away because the rod will snap back into the plastic tab on the back of the cylinder.
4. Remove the lower bolt that holds the window guide track in place. Its quick and easy plus gives you a lot more room to work around the latch inside the door.
5. Remove both electrical connectors on the latch.
6. Remove the three screws holding the latch in place.
7. Slide the latch mechanism down to release all of the rods and remove.

I'll have to review my repair manual, but I think thats about it. It took me about two hours to do the drivers door and 45 min to do the passenger door. Big learning curve involved. Hope this helps.

 

[double_take]

Thank guys now all I have to do is wait for a chance to do it when it's not raining (no garage). Maybe I'll have a chance Saturday.

 

[double_take]

oh BTW before I order this part. The drivers side is concidered left, correct?

 

[MONMIX]

It is the drivers point of view. ie drivers is left, passenger is right.

Here is an easy way to remove the lock linkage.
Pop the retainer off the lock cylender.
It is gonna take a good bit of english, but fish the clip up and off the rod.
The end of the rod is shaped like a big S sorta'.
That is the way I do it at least.

Wile it is possible to just pop it off the old fashion way, Ford lock clips can be a bit too tepermental, and tend to break.
When you reinstal every thing, just put the lock in and snap the rod in place.