2004 Freestar rear lift gate handle
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2
Solution to fixing the rear door handle problem!!!
same problem happen to my wifes van and after 1 month of her bothering me to check it out and the high quote of 350some dollars for a new handle + paint+labor, i finally looked at it, tried to take the door panel off and gladly i did not have the right tool for it. that made me look inside the holes real well and figure out that with a srewdriver the hooks where it latches moved and locke to one side(can't remember if left or right) so when you put he handle inside they need to be out of the way(say to the left) , you will need a little piece of string (in this case i used pine needle bale string , thats was the only one strong enough that i found), you can use fishing string as long as is really thin. some how after a couple tries, i got it to hold on the hook inside while i placed the handle in and pulled it towards the opposite side(to where the hook latches into the handle) and that worked very well!!! that way i did not get ripped off by the ford dealership! it may take you a couple minutes but it works without taking the panel or plate off. GOOD LUCK !!YOU'RE WELCOME!!
Last edited by Hayapower; May 25, 2012 at 10:46 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1
I have the same problem ...
We own a 2005 ford freestar. the lift gate shocks/struts broke last month, making the lift gate very heavy to lift and had to be propped open in order to load any thing into the trunk. Now the lift gate handle has come off. we can''t figure out how to put the handle back on. Our right rear turn signal lamp has burned out this week and we are trying to replace it, but we can''t open the lift gate to unscrew the cover to the rear lights. next week we are getting our freestar inspected and need to repair the turn signal lamp. how do we open the lift gate?
Thanks so much for any info!
Thanks so much for any info!
Last edited by Hayapower; May 25, 2012 at 10:47 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1
our handle did not come off of the van (04 freestar), but the connection between the handle and the latching mechanism isn't working (and the latching mechanism is jammed up in the door- our door is being held closed by a shoestring). i have ordered a new handle and latch piece. can anybody give me instructions on how to replace these parts? after shelling out $320 for parts, we do NOT want to pay $80/hr to have them installed. thanks.
Last edited by Hayapower; May 25, 2012 at 10:48 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1
Same Issue..
Hi Hayapower,
Would you mind sending me the info/schematic for fixing the 2004 Freestar rear lift gate handle problem mentioned previously.
Thanks.
Would you mind sending me the info/schematic for fixing the 2004 Freestar rear lift gate handle problem mentioned previously.
Thanks.
Last edited by Hayapower; May 25, 2012 at 10:49 AM.
