door problem
 

I have a problem with my 98 Ford Ranger door handle. I lifted it up and heard something fall off inside the door and I can't open the door from the outside. It opens from the inside. I took the paneling off and I found a thin odd shaped metal thing about 6" long. I tried to hook it back up but I could not figure out how it hooked up?
Does anyone know how I can get a picture of how this piece of metal is supposed to be hooked up. :confused:

rburrhead

I just know you're not going to appreciate this answer , but best way is to remove inside panel from door on the other side and it should show you where the link comes from and goes to . The fact that it may be somewhat opposite , it works the same way. While you are in there you might as well lubricate it too. Sometimes a plastic clip breaks and the rod comes off, but you will be able to see everything and if something is missing you can tell right away. Also any thing that might have broken. ,,,,,,,,,,,,hanky

Thank you so much That is a good idea (a lot Moore work.)

This may help..

Sounds like the handle attachment broke, or the anchor at the latch release

Thank you very much for the Diagram of the Ranger door. I have copied and enlarged it so I can start studying it. It looks complicated but I am going to try to fix it, before I give up and take it in to the shop.

If you already removed the interior panel , you are certainly capable of repairing the door latch/ release assy. It looks more complicated than it is. I have had a few where the casting broke off the outside handle assy. Its no big deal and to me hardest part is to remove the interior panel. If you can determine from the diagram where the dangling part goes its just amatter if replacing it. As a last resort you can always open the other side and compare mechanisms. You can do this.,,,,,,,,,,,hanky

Thanks for the update.I haven't tried fixing it yet because it is so hot down (heat index 105) here and I have to wait a little while.. I'm still trying to figure out the diagram.The piece that fell off looks like # 6 but with a bigger ( U ) shaped loop on the bottom. It also looks kike #3.

Item #6 in the illustration is the outer door lockset release rod to the latch.. #3 is the release rod from the outside handle to the door latch.. With the panel off, look at the 'backside' of the handle and see if the attacment tab is broken off.. You may also find some small bits in the bottom of the door well..

If the interior door lock pull is 'up' and the door still won't open from the outside, the part/s affected would be #3 and/or the handle.. If you insert the key in the door and you can't raise/lower the interio lock pull, then #6 would affect that function.. My bet is that the handle broke alowing the rod to drop down..

WOW!!! Thanks for all the INFO. It is just what I needed to help me understand what these parts are and what has happened inside the door.

SUCCESS!!!! I finally found out where & how part #6 connects. It works now,I can't for the life of me figure out how it ever fell off. I still have to put the paneling back.
I can't thank you enough. I never could have done it without you help.
This is a GREAT Forum