How to Remove the Interior Door Handle From a 2007 Ford Expedition

Ford introduced the Expedition as their premiere SUV in 1997. By 2007, the Expedition had outlived the larger Ford Excursion and as of 2011, stands as Ford's only full-size SUV. 2007 saw the debut of the third generation Expeditions, which brought extensive interior and exterior design enhancements. The interior door handles received an appearance upgrade, but otherwise operate the same as the previous model-year handles. The handle attaches to a cable that connects it to the door latch. When you pull the handle, the cable moves the latch and opens the Expedition's door.

Instructions

1

Open the Expedition's door and lower the window. Pry the sail panel off the door using the trim tool. The sail panel is the triangular shaped trim, at the top-leading edge of the door panel, that covers the mirror mounting bolts.

2

Remove the retaining bolt from behind the sail panel using a socket wrench and 13 mm socket. Remove the two hex-head screws from the base of the door panel using the socket wrench and 8 mm socket. Lift the door panel up and off the door by hand, but do not move it away from the door.

3

Reach between the door panel and door skin. Unplug the power window and lock switches from the door harness. Unplug the courtesy light from the door harness. Set the door panel aside.

4

Remove the bolts holding the inner door handle to the door skin using the socket set and 10 mm socket. Unhook the door latch cable from the backside of the door handle to complete removal of the inner door handle.

5

Hook the new inner door handle to the door latch cable. Bolt the new inner door handle to the door skin using the socket and wrench.

6

Lift the door panel into position. Reconnect the door harness to the courtesy light and power switches. Lower the door panel onto the door.

7

Reinstall the hex head screws at the base of the door and the bolt behind the sail panel. Snap the sail panel trim onto the door.