How to Install a Door Panel in a 1998 Ford Escort

From its release in 1981 to its final generation, which began in 1997, the Ford Escort underwent many changes. The 1997 change was likely the most drastic overhaul of them all. Ford gave the Escort a more aerodynamic look and made the vehicle nearly four inches longer than the previous generation. The base level 1998 Ford Escort, called the LX trim, came relatively stripped down, lacking air conditioning, cruise control and power windows. As you move through the trim level, these options become available. Installing a door panel on the 1998 Escort varies slightly, depending if the vehicle has air conditioning or not and if it is a two- or four-door model.

Instructions

Remove the screw from inside the door panel pull cup, using a Phillips screwdriver. Look behind the door handle and find the plastic screw cover. Pry this screw cover from the handle with a flat-head screwdriver, exposing the screw behind it. Remove this screw with a Phillips screwdriver.

Pull the handle outward just far enough to access the door linkage behind it. Pull the linkage from the clip on the rear of the handle and remove the handle.

Proceed to Step 5 if your escort has power windows. Pull outward slightly on the manual window crank and look behind the crank to find the U-shaped clip that holds it on the window regulator crank. Insert a window crank tool behind the crank until it engages the ears on the U-shaped clip. Press the crank tool toward the clip to disengage it.

Pull the window crank and its plastic washer from the door panel. Press the U-shaped lip back into the slot on the rear of the crank.

Find the two push-pin-style retaining clips near the front of the front door panel; the rear door panel does not have these clips. Pry the center pin from each retaining clip, using a flat-head screwdriver, then pry the retaining clips from the door panel. Pry around the perimeter of the door panel with a trim stick to release the seven door-panel retaining clips. Lift the door panel upward, then pull it far enough from the door to access the power window switch wiring, then proceed to Step 6, if applicable. If your Escort does not have power windows, simply remove the door panel.

Reach behind the front door panel, pull the two locking tabs away from the door panel pull cup and remove the door panel pull cup. Reach your hand through the hole where the pull cup was and find the power window pigtail wiring harness. Press and hold the unlocking button on the wiring harness and unplug it. Remove the door panel.

On the rear door panel, just reach behind the power window switch, press and hold the unlocking button on the power window switch, and unplug the switch. Remove the door panel.

Slide the top of the door panel into place on the door. On the rear door panel, reach behind the panel and plug the power window wiring harness into the power window switch.

On the front door, reach into the hole where the pull cup goes and plug the power window switchs pigtail harness into the Escorts wiring harness. Press the pull cup into its hole until it snaps into place.

Press around the perimeter of the door panel to engage the seven door-panel retaining clips. On the front door only, Push the two push-pin-style retaining clips into their holes on the front of the door panel and press the center pins into the clips to lock them into place.

Align the window crank and its washer with the window regulator shaft and press the window crank onto the regulator until it snaps into place, if applicable.

Press the door handle linkage back into its clip on the rear of the door handle and set the door handle into its cutout in the door panel. Tighten the door handle screw with a Phillips screwdriver and press the screw cover back into place over the screw.

Tighten the screw into the pull cup, using a Phillips screwdriver.