Changing door handles help

quackers · 28 May 2006 at 14:40

Anyone had any experience on changing the door handles on a ford escort?

Im trying to change the door handles on my escort to a nice red to match the car, so far ive done the drivers side and that went ok. Now im trying to the drivers side back door, the door panel wont come off! It seems to be stuck with the window handle thingie.

There doesnt seem to be any way of getting the little sod off.

Help!

fonzee · 28 May 2006 at 16:52

either get a haynes manual or check out an online escort forum... loads about and theres probably a technicle article on one of them about it...

Liverpool-Lad · 28 May 2006 at 16:53

I have a crowbar...

timbob · 28 May 2006 at 17:10

Sometimes the small bit of trim surrounding the handle has to be pulled free first, before the doorcard comes off. I'd assume, having done the front that you'd know that though.

Try gently prising the door card away from the door, find where it seems to be secured the most, then go hunting for screws you've missed.

quackers · 28 May 2006 at 17:50

Well i only managed to do the drivers door, because the escort has electric windows on the front, so no manual handle.

Ive been reading through the haynes manual, apparently you need to put some clean cloth between the handle and the trim and catch the clip. The handle should then pull off.

Now how stupid is that? Ive been trying and its not working!!!

Morba · 28 May 2006 at 19:45

its not stupid, and its the same for a focus etc.

pull the handle out a bit and look for the clip, then use a screwdriver to take the clip off.

timbob · 29 May 2006 at 12:13

Haynes is rubbish about those things. There's a little metal circlip (I think that's what they're called). Shaped sort of like the greek letter omega. You have to use the sticky out bits to open the clip enough to get it off. Using a cloth doesn't work, so see how far you can bend the winder handle away from the door, then poke around with a mini screwdriver till you get it. It'll probably ping off into the distance when you get it off though, so watch out for it!