Driver's side door latch cable repair

[slycer2002]

Hey, all. I am about to attempt to replace the door latch cable on the driver's side, and I was wondering if anybody out there had done this, and if so, how difficult it was. I'm figuring I'll probably have to completely remove the door latch from the door, and if I remember right, there's not that much room to maneuver around in. If anybody has any tips or pointers, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!!!

 

[el_conquistador]

Yeah I just did this a couple weeks ago. I had a small mirror on a wire to kinda look around in there before I started taking stuff off. It really helped. It really is a slow process. I was pretty frustrated by the time I was done, but it definitely can be done! Good luck. Have a few adult beverages on hand to help ease you through it.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

yeah, its tight in there. i replaced the door handles on my 94 and had to partially remove the cable to get all the pieces out, but i got frustrated on the passenger side and broke the handle when i tried to open the door from the outside (had it all back together but must have put something on wrong?). hopefully ill get the ambition to replace it soon (its not my DD but will be soon) cause it sucks only being able to open it from the inside.

 

[slycer2002]

Opening from the inside isn't all that bad. Imagine sitting in your truck, rain pouring down outside, and having to roll your window down just to open the door, thereby letting the rain in. Of course, if its pouring outside and someone is waiting to get in on that side, having to wait for the door to be opened from the inside could be a pain too. I see your point. Oh, well. Wish me luck!! Oh, and unfortunately, adult beverages aren't an option, because I don't drink. How about I drink a Pepsi, and you have a couple adult ones for me? Will that work? Thanks again!

Oh, and conquistador, I love your avatar!!! I haven't seen Yellowbeard in years, but I'll still bust out with a "stagger, stagger, crawl, crawl," every now and then, usually when I'm looking for something!

 

[AllanD]

On a 1992?
My advice?
Take the latch handle, the cable and the latch itself and drop them in the trash.

replace ALL with the same parts from an '89-91 door which uses a steel pushrod
instead of a pull cable and thus NEVER breaks.

AD

 

[slycer2002]

Hmph, wish I'd talked to you sometime in the last two months (correction, THREE months) that I've been dealing with the broken cable. I couldn't find anyone that could give me a straight answer on whether any other model would work. And of course, Ford only made this cable for the 92 year, and the only way I can get a new one, now, is to buy the $195 "repair" kit. I finally found a cable on eBay for $10, and that's what I installed today. I plan to do an upgrade, eventually, to power locks and windows, and when I do that, I probably will get the latches with the pushrods instead of the cables to save myself this hassle again in the future. Thanks to all who responded. And, even though I don't drink, when I was done, I was SERIOUSLY considering those adult beverages previously mentioned.

 

[slycer2002]

Actually, Allan, I stand corrected. I did talk to you, back on March 30th, and the first thing you said was to get a latch assembly from the 89-91 model years, if not the whole door itself. So, I humbly apologize, and I bow to your superior wisdom. Thanks again.

 

[el_conquistador]

Oh, and conquistador, I love your avatar!!! I haven't seen Yellowbeard in years, but I'll still bust out with a "stagger, stagger, crawl, crawl," every now and then, usually when I'm looking for something!

Ha Ha yeah great movie! "Where's my pirating outfit!"

 

[zekew64]

Just a question, but I wanted to know how the yellow things inside the door that holds the different rods are removed?

 

[zekew64]

Never mind...I figured that out today.

Second question I have now is, how the heck do you remove the lock cylinder rod from the latch? And as for being tight...damn, that's what she said, lol!!

 

[slycer2002]

To be perfectly honest, I really don't remember. That was almost four years ago. If I remember right, I actually pulled the three screws out of the latch and partially removed it from the door. That made things a little easier. I'm sorry I can't be more help to you, but as I said that was quite awhile ago. Good luck!