Rear door stuck

[wargle]

97 XLT. All of a sudden the left rear passenger door stuck closed. The power lock moves up and down. The outside handle moves but nothing happens. The inside handle is sticking out about half way, will move but won't operate the latch. Both handles feel like the operating rods are still attached. Both handles spring back when released. I have not been able to find a post with the same problem. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to get the door open or what the problem might be?

 

[beach]

Remove the clip around the handle and unscrew the screws, then start pulling on the outside door cover, there are clips all around holding it in. You may have to pull pretty hard so don't worry as it may feel like your going to snap something. Then you'll have to move that piece upwards as well to clear over the door lock piece at the top.

I had something like yours happen to the driver door and had to replace the Ford piece in there, whatever it was called. There was a spring or something else that snapped, can't remember what happened. There was another cover thing in place inside that I peeled away to get to the innards.

 

[toypaseo]

You could try to spray lube the latch mechanism.

One day I noticed that one of the rear doors was very hard to open. It felt like you were going to break the inner door handle before the latch mechanism released. I sprayed either white lithium grease or PB Blaster on the mechanism, and worked the inner door handle. After a couple of applications, it got alot easier.

 

[beach]

You could try to spray lube the latch mechanism.

One day I noticed that one of the rear doors was very hard to open. It felt like you were going to break the inner door handle before the latch mechanism released. I sprayed either white lithium grease or PB Blaster on the mechanism, and worked the inner door handle. After a couple of applications, it got alot easier.

Thats what happened with mine, one day I went to open the door, and nothing, felt like tension when I pulled the handled and then PING. Handle went loose but door wouldn't open, can't remember the piece I replace but there was a spring that snapped in half.

 

[wargle]

Thanks for the info., guys. There's not much room to get the door panel off with the stuck door closed and the rear seat very close to the panel. I'll get into it and see what I can do. If I can get the panel off, maybe I can get the door open and then see what needs replacing.

 

[beach]

Yeh I thought of that, if the door is stuck closed, it will be tough to pry the panel off with little space.

 

[bounsoul]

Both rear interior door handles broken

Just a question here- I see a lot of posts about latch replacement for the front driver's side door. My problems are the rear doors, both the passenger and the driver's side. I have an 01 explorer. One handle was broken when I bought the car, the other broke about a year later. They have been broken for about two years now, and I've tried about three or four times to fix them. I've bought replacement handles, installed them, and after a few pulls on the handle, the replacements broke as well. What the heck am I doing wrong? Why is there so much force required to move that long piece of metal the handles are attached to and why have both of mine broke in the back? Do I need to replace the entire latch mechanism in the back? If so, do they cost the same and install the same as the latch mechanisms in the front? Any insight would be appreciated, its been a frustrating few years and I am close to going to the dealer and spending whatever it takes to get them fixed.

 

[Hunny]

Just a question here- I see a lot of posts about latch replacement for the front driver's side door. My problems are the rear doors, both the passenger and the driver's side. I have an 01 explorer. One handle was broken when I bought the car, the other broke about a year later. They have been broken for about two years now, and I've tried about three or four times to fix them. I've bought replacement handles, installed them, and after a few pulls on the handle, the replacements broke as well. What the heck am I doing wrong? Why is there so much force required to move that long piece of metal the handles are attached to and why have both of mine broke in the back? Do I need to replace the entire latch mechanism in the back? If so, do they cost the same and install the same as the latch mechanisms in the front? Any insight would be appreciated, its been a frustrating few years and I am close to going to the dealer and spending whatever it takes to get them fixed.

 

[Hunny]

Use some spray lube on the whole thing including latches. If the force is too strong the part will snap.

 

[Hunny]

OK. I have gotten the panel off the rear door and looked at the lower mechanism on the rear wing door for a Ranger XLT. I can't see much but I can see the cable pull a small swing arm at the lower latch. It however does not release the latch. Any suggestions on how to manually release the latch? Just thought i would ask before persuading the lock out with out regard for reuse. Also does anyone have a source for this lower latch?