So, I really did it this time - can't afix door striker

[jchamzc]

I hate to admit this, but I need assistance asap. My only vehicle is a 1993 Ford Explorer Sport. I went to change out the door striker on the driver's side. When I unscrewed the old one I heard a chink, chink, clink, clink. When I tried to screw in the new one, there was no retaining nut there at all. It obviously fell (damn Gravity!) inside the frame....all the way to the bottom.

How do I get at this and am I possibly missing something.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Probably have to pull the interior panel and get an arm in there somehow. Usually they are crimped to stay in place. Weird...

 

[Bruces expo]

Yep you need to pull the interior panel off , i did the same thing when i went to fix mine , then after the new ones cracked and broke off, I'm assuming they were a cheap brand and didn't last 4 years , so i wrapped electrical tape around it many of times to fix it temporarily , I Should replace those now that i've seen this happen again , Good Luck With the Interior Panels , I Know How To Take 3/4 Of These explorer's Apart now thanks to common problems and Driver error