Replaced Latch, Minor Issues

[RandomNerd2000]

I'm going to start by saying the reason people scrap Explorers isn't anything price or drivetrain related, I'm 99% certain that it's related to the doors.

Okay, that aside, I replaced the latch in my 2000 Explorer, why? Well it was extremely worn, and I needed to replace the actuator and had to remove the old one, which didn't go well, and ended up drilling the old one out, and I put in the latch from my rolled 99, been sitting mostly outside since last June, and I've got an issue. Basically, when I use the manual key, it will lock perfectly, but when I try to unlock it, the linkage jumps out, and I've tried lube and it just won't do right, so I'm curious if there's a solution that's not too complicated, since the power lock works perfectly, as does everything else related to that, but this.

 

[CDW6212R]

You can still buy the latches new(NOS) or aftermarket brands. My newest 98 truck has rough parts throughout it, so I bought another set of the door latches recently. They were about $50 each or so for the right latch(NOS), on eBay. The lefts were closer to $65 each. I haven't had much luck either getting an old one to work right, once it's malfunctioning. One of the jaws in the RF latch of my 98 is broken in some way, the spring isn't attached to it I'm sure. It's easier to conclude that the part has been abused beyond a point that would satisfy me again, so I'll scrap it when I get time to pull the door apart.

Look hard at the hinges also, those are big wear items, and replacing the pins isn't always as good as a new hinge.

 

[koda2000]

FYI, You don't have to remove the front latch to replace the front actuator. It will unhook from the latch once the actuator is loose. A little WD40 on the plastic bushing it hooks into helps.

 

[swshawaii]

Basically, when I use the manual key, it will lock perfectly, but when I try to unlock it, the linkage jumps out

Did you remove the key cylinder to R&R the latch? Any chance the cylinder is installed upside down? Pink clip must face rear.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...solved-temporarily-maybe.207373/#post-2221015

 

[RandomNerd2000]

I'm not sure what exactly I did but it worked fine the next morning and has since then, self fixing? If only the whole truck was like that?