How to remove the rear trim panel to get the wiper motor?

[Andy(SC)]

I'm about ready to pull what little hair I have left out trying to figure out how to get to the rear wiper motor / assembly.

My '00 Mountaineer's rear wiper is loose and I need to get inside to see what is not connected anymore. I looked on-line and in the Chilton manual and I can not figure out how to get the interior plastic panel off to get into the door itself.

Can anyone tell me what the trick is?

Thanks in advance

Andy

 

[vroomzoomboom]

if your gate is the same as an explorer, and i do believe it is. unbolt the strap that hangs down when the gate is open. then, there should be one bolt that is under plastic cover that is close to your wiper motor. there are no Christmas tree clips like a door panel has, there is plastic hooks that are moulded into the panel. you will need to give the panel a bang with the palm of your hand upwards from the bottom. that should free the bottom portion, and some metal clips surrounding the window. hope this helps you!

 

[gijoecam]

More or less, that's it. Open the tailgate, remove the two philips head screws in the handle, close the gate and open the window. Remove the one screw holding the panel in place in the opening to the side of the latch, under the little cover. Leave the window open and re-open the tailgate. Pull down on the trim on the top and both sides of the window opening to release the spring clips. Slide the whole panel towards the roof of the truck. Be careful it doesn't hit you in the head when it drops.

Once you have the panel and the plastic noise/air plastic insulating panel off, close the tailgate. From the top, you'll see the motor and bracket. It's much easier to loosen the two bolts that hold the motor to the bracket before you remove the three bolts that hold the bracket to the tailgate. It beats wrestling the bracket outside the vehicle.

Also, be sure to remove the plastic clip the holds the connector to the old motor. The new motor will not come with that clip, and it's not available separately. It keeps the connector from banging around on the bracket inside the door.

It's a 15 minute job at worst. I've done it so many times, I think I could do it in the dark with one hand tied behind my back.

-Joe