1A Auto Video Library
Our how-to videos have helped repair over 100 million vehicles.
Enter Vehicle Year Make Model

Specify your vehicle's year, make and model to guarantee fit.

installation video player icon

How to Replace Rear Door Panel 2006-10 Ford Explorer

Created on: 2016-11-03

How to repair, install, fix, change or replace a door panel. Door panels need to be removed to access the inside components of the door, like the window regulator or exterior door handles on 06 Ford Explorer

  1. step 1 :Removing the Rear Door Panel
    • Pry off the side trim piece next to the window switch panel with a rag and flat blade screwdriver
    • Pry off the trim piece from the pull handle
    • Remove the two 7mm bolts in the switch
    • Remove the two 7mm bolts in the door pull
    • Remove the two 7mm bolts on the bottom of the door panel
    • Pry up the window switch panel with a flat blade screwdriver
    • Disconnect the wiring harnesses
    • Pull the door panel up and off
    • Disconnect the door lock cable with a flat blade screwdriver
  2. step 2 :Reinstalling the Rear Door Panel
    • Connect the door lock cable to the door handle
    • Lift the door panel into place
    • Push in the door panel clips
    • Lightly tighten the two 7mm bolts on the bottom of the door panel
    • Tighten the two 7mm bolts in the switch
    • Tighten the two 7mm bolts in the door pull
    • Connect the wiring harnesses to the window switch panel
    • Push the window switch panel into place
    • Push on the trim piece next to the window switch panel
    • Push on the door pull trim piece

Tools needed

  • Socket Extensions

    Flat Blade Screwdriver

    7mm Socket

    Ratchet

Hi, I'm Mike from 1AAuto. We've been selling auto parts for over 30 years! We're dedicated to delivering quality auto parts, expert customer service, and fast and free shipping, all backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. We've created thousands of videos to help you install our parts with confidence. That saves you time and money, so visit us at 1AAuto.com, your trusted source for quality auto parts.

In this video, we're going to be working with our 2006 Ford Explorer. We're going to show you how to remove and replace your rear interior door panel. We're working on the driver's side, but this process will be the same on the passenger side.

If you like this video, please click subscribe. We have a ton more information on this truck, as well as many other makes and models. If you ever need parts for your car, you can follow the link down in the description over to 1AAuto.com.

Here are the items you'll need for this repair: 7mm socket, ratchet, socket extension, flat head screwdriver

Remove these two trim covers here to expose the seven millimeter bolts we need to remove to get our door panel off. You can do this with a small flat blade screwdriver, or, if you want to keep your interior in nice shape, you can use one of the trim tools from our interior trim tool removal set available from 1A Auto. Put that trim tool on the bottom edge here. We'll start at the back. Pry out the clips. Do the same thing here. Just get under one edge. Pop that cover off.

With these covers removed, we can access the two seven millimeter screws in the upper portion of the door handle, the two in the door pull here, and a fifth one at the bottom. We'll remove these with a seven millimeter socket ratchet and extension. Using the same interior trim tool, pop up on the tabs for the window switch and disconnect the electrical connector on the bottom. With the screws removed and the switch out, lift up on the door panel and lay it backwards. Push down on the ears that secure the door release cable in place. You want to use a small flat blade screwdriver to make sure you get some good leverage on there. Push one side in and pull the cable partially out to hold that side compressed before moving onto the other side, at which point you can remove the entire cable from the panel. Pull it out and let the cable through the slot in the top. Rotate it and remove it from the latch. You can now remove your door panel from the vehicle.

Reinstall the cable into the handle. Send the cable through the slot here. Push the retainers into place until they snap. Sometimes one of these will get caught in there and it'll stay partially compressed, so make sure you wiggle it a little bit. Make sure that it's fully seated and that the window harness comes up through the opening here. Line up your door lock pin, set the panel into place, and push it down until all the tabs lock into the door. Reconnect your window switch.

Install the panel back into the door until it snaps into place. Reinstall your five seven millimeter screws into the door panel. There's the one black screw at the bottom. It's got the plastic thread on it. Your four machine screws, we'll have two going into the door pull here and two into the handle. A good trick for getting the two screws in at the top, because they're a little difficult up inside there, way at the back, and they'll fall down inside of the door panel if they fall out of your socket, is to just take a little bit of grease. I'm using brake grease, but you can use wheel bearing grease. Coat the head of the bolt with it. You don't need to go crazy here. Just make sure you get a little bit on the flat edges. When you install this into your socket, it'll keep the bolt in place. Reinstall the cover on your door pull. It just snaps into place. The same thing with the one up top on the handle. Make sure you hook the front end in first before snapping the back in.

Thanks for watching. Visit us at 1AAuto.com for quality auto parts, fast and free shipping, and the best customer service in the industry.


recommended video

How Where To Find Date of Manufacture On Your Vehicle

If you need to find the manufacture date of your vehicle, check this video out and learn where it might be located

Share on:
Go To Top

Same Day Shipping

Need your part faster? Choose expedited shipping at checkout.

Guaranteed To Fit

Highest quality, direct fit replacement auto parts enforced to the strictest product standards.

USA Customer Support

Exceeding customers' expectations, our team of passionate auto enthusiasts are here to help.

Instructional Video Library

Thousands of how-to auto repair videos to guide you step-by-step through your repair.