Replacing a door handle on a Ford Explorer at the dealership can quickly become a pricey affair. Once you factor in the cost of the part, labor time, shop supply and economic impact fees, as well as sales tax, you can easily exceed several hundred dollars per handle. However, if you have some mechanical aptitude, access to the replacement part, a decent set of basic tools and some patience, you can replace it yourself and pocket the difference.
Remove the fasteners from the door panel using your socket set. Most should be 8- or 6-millimeter.
Slide the trim pin removal tool under the trailing bottom corner of the door panel and pry the corner away from the door. If you do not have a door trim pin removal tool, you can use a sturdy putty knife to pry the panel away where the pins seat into the door, but take care not to damage the door panel.
Look between the door panel and door and note the location of the other trim pins holding the door panel in place.
Remove the rest of the trim pins from the door.
Disconnect the wiring harnesses from the door-lock and window switches.
Lift the door panel up and away from the door, being careful to slide the door-lock and window switch wiring harnesses through the holes in the panel before pulling the door panel.
Unbolt the door handle assembly and bolt the new one in its place.
Lift the door panel back toward the door and reconnect the door lock and window switch wiring harnesses.
Reinstall the door panel by lining the trim pins up with the corresponding holes, then firmly pounding them back in place with the side of your fist.
Reinstall the fasteners you removed in Step 1.
