Ford Explorer: Handles, Locks, Latches and Entry Systems / Removal and Installation - Rear Door Latch

Removal

NOTE: Base vehicle shown, Police vehicle similar.

NOTE: LH (left-hand) side shown, RH (right-hand) side similar.

All vehicles

1. Remove the rear door window regulator and motor.
   Refer to: Rear Door Window Regulator and Motor (501-11 Glass, Frames and Mechanisms, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Remove the exterior rear door handle.
   Refer to: Exterior Rear Door Handle (501-14 Handles, Locks, Latches and Entry Systems, Removal and Installation).
   

1. 
   Remove the aft rear door glass run and bracket.
   
   1. Remove the bolts from the aft rear door glass run and bracket.
      Torque: 62 lb.in (7 Nm)
   2. Remove the aft rear door glass run and bracket.
      

1. Remove the screw from the exterior rear door handle reinforcement.
   Torque: 62 lb.in (7 Nm)

1. Remove the rear door latch bolts.
   Torque: 71 lb.in (8 Nm)

Police vehicles

1. 
   Remove the rear door latch.
   
   1. Route the interior rear door handle cable through the inner door and disconnect the wiring harness routing clips.
      
   2. Disconnect the rear door latch electrical connector.
      
   3. Disconnect the manual rear door lock cable routing clips
      
   4. Remove the manual rear door lock cable access cover and disconnect the manual rear door lock cable.
      
   5. Remove the rear door latch and the manual rear door lock cable.
      

Base vehicles

1. 
   Remove the rear door latch.
   
   1. Disconnect the wiring harness routing clips and position the exterior rear door handle reinforcement wiring harness aside.
      
   2. Disconnect the rear door latch electrical connector.
      
   3. Route the interior rear door handle cable through the inner door.
      
   4. Remove the rear door latch.
      

All vehicles

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new component.

   
   Release the cable tension by turning the release screw until the handle lever releases from the stop.
   
   1. Turn the release screw until the handle lever releases from the stop.
      
   2. Release the handle lever from the stop.
      

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new component.

   
   Remove the exterior rear door handle reinforcement.
   
   1. Press the locking tab down.
      
   2. Release the cable from the routing clips and detach the exterior rear door handle reinforcement.
      
   3. Detach the cable from the exterior rear door handle reinforcement cable bracket.
      
   4. Remove the cable eyelet from the lever.
      

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new component.

   
   Remove the rear door latch bracket.
   
   1. Release the retaining tabs on the rear door latch bracket.
      
   2. Release the retaining tabs on the rear door latch bracket.
      
   3. Remove the rear door latch bracket.
      

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new component.

   Remove the exterior rear door handle reinforcement to rear door latch cable access cover.
   

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new component.

   Remove the exterior rear door handle reinforcement to rear door latch cable.
   

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new component.

   
   Remove the interior rear door handle cable and lock indicator cable access covers.
   
   1. If not previously removed.
      Remove the lock indicator cable access cover.
      
   2. Remove the interior rear door handle cable access cover.
      

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new component.

   
   Remove the interior rear door handle cable and lock indicator cable.
   
   1. If not previously removed.
      Remove the lock indicator cable.
      
   2. Remove the interior rear door handle cable.
      

Installation

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
   

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new component.

   NOTE: This step must be done correctly or the exterior door handle will not engage the lever on installation.

   
   Position the exterior rear door handle reinforcement in the service position.
   
   1. While keeping tension on the cable and holding the handle lever in the engaged position against the stop.
      
   2. Turn the release screw until the handle lever is positioned against the stop.