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Behind the door panel

Chowbird

New Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2014
Messages
53
Does anyone have any pix handy of the inside of the door (drivers) behind the panel insert? My inside paddle latch works ok, but my outside door handle button is shooting blanks. Push button does nothing and is detached from whatever it was attached to. Pix of what it looks like in there would really help my plan before I open it up. Thx a bunch. Tim
 
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OP
OP
Chowbird

Chowbird

New Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2014
Messages
53
Thx. It does. I just have to figure out how that "outside handle to latch" floating up in he corner of the picture like Alaska fits into the puzzle. Thanks!! Keep the pix coming if you have any. Tim
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
48,879
Good diagrams for sure.
Problem is you might not know exactly what happened until you get the panel off Chowbird. Could just have popped the old clip off, but it could also be a rust issue, where the rod itself busted off, or the lever on the latch side busted out of it's hole (not likely, but probably not impossible with these things either!) or a combination of things.
Might even be a busted button mechanism. Also not common, but again, with EB's you just never know. You could even be the first to experience something! Oh the joy...

Easy enough to tell though, once you get the panel off it's easy to see that area. You can even see it pretty well sometimes with the window down and pointing a flashlight down the slot.
But to fix anything right, the panel is going to have to come off anyway.

You have the basic steel panels with the screws? Or the uprated Ranger panels with the pins?

Good luck.

Paul
 

horhay25

Jr. Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2013
Messages
190
Loc.
Encinitas, CA
Just fixed this problem on my 69...very easy fix for me..there was an adjustment on the handle rod..bingo bango!
 
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Chowbird

Chowbird

New Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2014
Messages
53
Thanks for all the replies.

Paul, steel panel with screws. Horhay, how was taking the panel off, any issues?....did it pop out at you like a can of snakes. :) Thx for the diagrams Reb and NGA.

Keep the pix coming if you have any. Thanks.
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
48,879
This type of panel is one of the simpler operations. If you're ok with basic tools, it's a piece of cake.

It's been years, but if I remember the basics, you can remove the first items in any order you want.

For '67 and later models:

1. Armrest - Remove the three hidden screws holding the arm-rest on. This is easiest with something like a nut-driver that you can put down the hole and not lose a small socket, but if you only have a 1/4 drive socket set, a deep socket is best. Don't remember the size, but it's in the 5/16" to 3/8" category I think.

2. Then the flappy-paddle and cup come off. I don't think there are any rods connected directly to it. They're attached to the actual inner latch that the paddle pushes against. Most rod connections are just little plastic clips that are relatively easy to take off and put back on. But if they break, ya gots to get new ones. And they do get brittle with age sometimes.

3. Remove the window crank. Simple phillips screw in the center. Keep the handle handy, since you'll likely be putting the window up and down to fiddle with the innards.

4. Remove all the screws attaching the panel to the door. If it's never been off, it may have a few sticky spots where the inner weatherproof liner (which is stuck to the door) has grabbed the outer panel.

That's it. There's never much access to inner door workings, so you just have to put your eyeballs on what needs help and grab it with a hand or long tool. Sometimes you end up with half your arm stuck through an access hole to grab just the right angle on a component. Long sleeves get in the way, but keep your arm from taking a beating from any rough edges.
A flashlight is your friend. Sometimes the best view is from an access hole, sometimes straight down through the window slot. Whatever works.

The outer door handle, if it needs to come off, is only held in by (if I remember) one or two small screws. One of which is actually on the outside of the door, in the jam area just above the latch.

Good luck. Have fun, and keep an eye out for other little rattly thingies that might be lurking inside your door. Now's a great time to vacuum out the bottom, check the channels for loose adjusting nuts or broken off brackets. Some can be fixed, some just tightened, and some need to be replaced. Luck of the draw.

I'm sure if I left anything pertinent out, someone will jump in with a correction or addition.
Oh, and no can-o-snakes to bite you. It's all contained in the door shell itself once you get the covers off. Simple stuff, but a bit baffling looking the first time through. You'll get it once you see it.
And oh again... If your doors have been sticky, hard to open or close, and you think the actual latch mechanism may be sticky, just go ahead and remove it (unclip the rods and unbolt the latch) and soak it in carb cleaner/degreaser for a year or two (ok, just a few hours should do it), lube it with good thin water resistant grease or spray lube, re-install it and you'll be amazed at how well a Bronco door can work!

Paul
 
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