How to remove driver's door of my 2008 Escape?

[cforput]

I just bought a 2008 Escape that has been sideswiped and I need to remove and replace the driver side doors. It has power locks and windows so there is a wiring harness that runs into the body in the hinge cavity. For the life of me, I can't figure out how to get the wiring harness apart.

Anyone have any ideas on to get the wiring harness off?

[BroncoJoe19]

Quite probably you'll have to take the door panel off and disconnect the harness at each of the componenets.

If you have electric windows etc, often the switches are mounted in a black plastic insert that can be popped up out of the panel, and they can be disconnected before pulling the panel off.

[cforput]

Thanks someone else just told me the same thing. Now the question is how do I get to the last screw holding on the panel. There is a screw under the cover where the door latch is. I have pried and pried but the cover won't come off. I am afraid that if I pry any harder it will break. Anyone with a 2008 Escape know how to get this piece off without ruining the rest of the panel?

[chevycamaro210]

Removal and Installation


Remove the lower A-pillar trim panel.
Disconnect the front door electrical connector at the A-pillar


Remove the door check bolt.


CAUTION:
To minimize the possibility of cross threading, hand start all fasteners during the installation.
To avoid damaging the door, this step requires an assistant.
With a wax pencil, mark the position of each hinge and remove the hinge-to-door bolts.


To install, tighten to 24 Nm (18 lb-ft) .


Remove the front door.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Upon installation, verify that door is aligned

Hope this helps

[chevycamaro210]

Removal and Installation

NOTE: LH side shown, RH side similar.



Remove the door sail panel.
If equipped, disconnect the power mirror electrical connector


Open and remove the door handle finish panel.
Pull the door handle outward to fully access the door handle finish panel.


Remove the door handle screw.





Remove the door inside handle screw.
Remove the 3 door trim panel screws.
Remove the door trim panel.
Pull outward and then upward on the door trim panel.
Disconnect the electrical connectors.
Remove the door handle from the door trim panel.
Disconnect the electrical connector.
Press the 2 retaining tabs while pushing the door handle from the door trim panel.
Remove the door handle from the door trim panel by pulling it back through the door trim panel.





To install, reverse the removal procedure

[chevycamaro210]

let me know if you need anymore help

[cforput]

This was perfect. Door is off and replacement is on, case closed!

Thanks

[chevycamaro210]

Originally Posted by cforput

This was perfect. Door is off and replacement is on, case closed!

Thanks

how did you do it for any future references.

[cforput]

It is actually really easy once you know how. The wire assembly has a connector inside the post where the hinges bolt to the car. There are 4 tabs on the connector that need to be pressed down to allow you to pull out the connector. Two tabs on top and two on the underside. Just use a small screwdriver and press down on each one while pulling out slightly on the assembly. This will keep each tab down while you work on the remaining ones. Once you get the connector assembly out of the post, slide down on the black clip (I think there is also a tab you need to press down on to allow the black clip to move). The connector will come apart leaving you just the hinge bolts left to remove and the door will come right off.

If you have the front fender off (for the front door) leave the door closed but have the window rolled down. Remove the hinge bolts from the door. Once they are all removed, support the door and then just open the door and the door will come off (Hold on tight!). For the rear doors, do the same thing but open the front door to get to the hinge bolts.

Hope this helps folks in the future.

[chevycamaro210]

did the pics help at all.