On the 85 Colony Park.....I have a small job but wanted some advice before I go to prying on things much more. On my rear passenger door, there is of course the vinyl/leather covered pull handle which is used for closing the door. The stitching on the handle has come lose, and my wife has volunteered to stitch it back up. I'd like to remove the handle, and I'm not sure how much needs to come apart. I tried prying gently at the plastic chrome plated covers at either end of the handle and they didn't seem to want to move. I was thinking they should just pop off and you would undo screws or bolts below to remove the handle. Anyone have any advice?? Thanks. Mike
Just a note..... I've got those pull straps on my Safari as well. A lot of old '80's cars had them, and you usually see at least a couple of them broken. Mine are still in good shape, so I make it a point not to use the pull strap to pull the door closed. I grab the recess in the armrest...... I think you're on the right track with the attachment for the strap. Caps on either end should pop off. Gentle prying with a screwdriver. Put a piece of cardboard or something between the screwdriver and the vinyl to protect it.
On the Fords, surprisingly, the covers do NOT pull off. The straps are attached to the door panel. The screws holding them on are accessed from the back of the panel which means you have to take the entire door panel off to get to them. Bit of a pain, but that is how it is done.
Thanks Mike....I was wondering if that was the case. I'm glad to know that before I destroyed the caps that I would probably never be able to find replacements for. Sounds like the "little job" just got a bit more involved, but I guess that's how it always goes.
Once you have done it a time or 2, it only takes about 5 minutes to pull, and another 5 minutes to reinstall. Not difficult in the least. I did it a few times on the 89, that's how I know! I also did it to the 87 and my brother's 86 (Stereo speakers and power door lock motors) as well as the 88 Crown Vic. Yeah, I've had a few Fords. The good news is the clips to hold the door panel on are readily available and dirt cheap. I always have a spare package or two kicking around in case I need them. I've been really lucky and never had a problem with the pull straps failing. In fact, I make a point of using them, especially on the 78, since the arm rests are more fragile. Of course on the late 80s Ford products you have no choice since there isn't an indentation in the arm rest. While you are in the door, take advantage of it and clean and re-lubricate the window tracks and regulator, and same with the power lock mechanism. You can also make sure no muck is collected in the bottom of the door to cause rot.
Mission accomplished. Got the door panel apart to remove the pull handle. Wife got it all stitched up. Got a new pack of those plastic panel retaining clips at AutoZone for the reinstall. Thanks for the help!!
