Door Problem

[cghstrojan08]

I can't open my door inside on the driver side. I was tring to get the panel off the door but I don't know how. I have the arm rest and window opener off. Is there some screws or something I am missing someplace or do I just pry the panel off with a screw driver? I used to have to hold the handle down and slam my body against the door to get it open but now the handle is stuck in the open position. I really need some help on this one. Thanks!

[FORDification]

Take a look at the following page for instructions on how to disassemble your door:

http://www.fordification.com/doors01.htm

You'll just have to pay attention to each part of the door latch mechanism as you remove it and see if anything looks worn, broken or corroded.

[Heavenlyfire]

same thing happened to me. take it apart and clean it up, straighten things if needed. More than likely the handle is worn where it trips the mechanism.

[cghstrojan08]

I took it apart and it is the handle. It is worn out at the tip of it. I think a junkyard near by has a truck like mine. If it is junk to I guess I will just have to buy a new one. Thanks for all of the help guys!

[FORDification]

Yours must be a very high-mileage truck. Of the dozen or so I've parted out I've never come across a worn-out release mechanism. I've got a whole box of those in fact.

[cghstrojan08]

It only has 86,000 miles on it. Did you say you had one for the driver side door? If so, how much?

[FORDification]

PM me your address and I'll just send you one.

[jor]

I had an issue recently that is different but related. My drivers side door handle on my 67 has been sticky for a few months. (when I would pull it up to open the door, it might not snap back into position) Anyhow, I was steaming around a right turn when the door flew open and banged hard against its stop. Ouch! I figured something had bent badly but alas, no damage. Anyhow, after holding onto that door while turning for a few weeks I finally got around to fixing it. I took it apart last weekend and everything looked great. I put a little more white lithium on the mechanism and put it back together. Same problem. Anhow, it turned out that there wasn't enough clearance between the handle base and the door panel after screwing it on tightly. To fix it, I twisted a short strand of bailing wire (God bless that stuff) and inserted it into the handle. The attaching bolt then passed through the handle and through the bailing wire. This gave it just enough clearance. Maybe there was a spacer in there originally but the other door works fine without one. If you can't figure out what the heck I'm talking about, here's a photo.
jor

[Big D's 69]

I just had to replace my drivers side door handle as the tip was worn off. I bought a new one for 20 something dollars and it works like new.