Ford Escape
Door Panel Removal Guide
How to remove the interior door panels of
a 2nd generation 2008-2012 Ford Escape with picture illustrated steps.
2011 Ford Escape Door Panel |
Remove Upper Edge Screw |
Lower Outer Edge Screw |
This
automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners
of the second generation (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012) Ford
Escape SUV in removing the interior door panels in order to upgrade
the OEM speaker, add soundproofing material, fix a broken lock or
switch, or replace the power window motor. Owners of other Ford, Lincoln, Mercury or related Mazda vehicles such as the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Mustang, Edge, Explorer, C-Max, Expedition, F-150, E-150, E-350 Wagon, Flex, Transit Connect, MKZ, MKX, MKS, MKT, Milan, Grand Marquis, Mariner, Mountaineer, Navigator, and Mazda Tribute may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools needed to take off the door panel include a Phillips head screwdriver, a small flathead screwdriver, a Torx T-30 "star" bit screwdriver, and a standard flathead screwdriver or trim panel removal tool. |
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Remove Inner Edge Screw |
Pry Out Door Pull Trim |
Remove Door Pull Screw |
The first step is
to remove the two Phillips head screws on the outer edge of the panel. There
is one at the top and another at the bottom of the outer edge. Then move to the bottom of the inner edge of the door panel and remove the third Phillips head screwdriver. Pry out the trim piece at the bottom of the door pull well on the arm rest with the small flathead screwdriver. Remove the fourth Phillips head screw in the door pull. Set the four screws aside in a safe place. |
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Pry Out Door Handle Trim |
Trim Panel Piece Removed |
Door Handle T30 Screw |
The final screw
that needs to be removed is hidden by a rectangular trim panel behind the
door opener handle. Gently pry out the trim piece with the small flathead screwdriver. Remove the screw with a Torx T-30 star bit screwdriver. |
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Remove Torx T30 Screw |
4 Phillips Screw & 1 Torx |
Pry Off Sail Panel |
Set aside the four
Phillips head screws, the one Torx T-30 screw, and the two trim panels in a
safe place. The last step before you can remove the door panel is to pry off the sail or "tweeter" panel located at the top front corner of the panel. Either pull it off with your hand or gently pry it off with a small flathead screwdriver. |
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Sail Trim Panel Removed |
Gently Pry Off Lower Panel |
Pull Out Plastic Pop Rivets |
Move to the bottom
edge of the door panel and gently pry it away from the metal door frame with
either a flathead screwdriver or a trim panel tool. To avoid scratching the painted surfaces, cover the blade of the screwdriver with a soft thin cloth. Pull the door panel away from the frame all along the two sides and the bottom edge to pop out the plastic friction fasteners. |
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Pull All Around Panel |
Lift Panel Up & Off Frame |
Door Opener Mechanism |
Lift the door panel up and off the door frame. | ||
Pop Out White Plastic Collar |
Swing Out - Remove Metal Bar |
Disconnect Door Lock Plug |
To disconnect the
door opener cable, first pop the white plastic collar near the end of the
cable out of its sleeve. Then swing the cable forward and lift the metal bar at the end of the cable out the socket. |
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Unplug Window Switch Power |
Power Connectors Removed |
Set Aside Door Panel |
Press the release
tab on the black plastic door lock switch plug and slide it straight out of
the socket. Press the release tab on the light grey plastic power window switch plug and slide it straight out. Pull the door panel away from the door frame and set it aside in a safe place. |
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Inner Metal Door Frame |
6mm Socket For Speaker |
Remove Speaker Screws |
If you'd like to remove the OEM speaker and install an upgraded aftermarket unit, you'll need a 6mm socket with a ratcheting wrench. | ||
Four 6mm Speaker Screws |
Pull Off OEM Door Speaker |
Press Tab - Unplug Speaker |
Remove the four 6mm
screws around the door speaker and carefully pull it out of the door frame. Press the release tab on the speaker's power connector and slide it straight out of the socket. According to Crutchfield, the front and rear door speakers of a 2008-2012 Ford Escape can be replaced with a 5 1/4" (5.25"), 6"x8" or 5"x7" unit. I'd recommend ordering aftermarket speakers from Crutchfield since they usually include any brackets or power plug adapters you may need to install the new speakers. If you'd like to reduce road noise and improve the sound quality from your new speakers, apply Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will help stop vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume. |
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Install 5.25", 6x8 or 5x7 |
Replace Cable Metal Bar End |
Pop In Plastic Collar |
To re-install the
door panel, first hold it near the door frame and re-insert the metal bar at
the end of the door opener cable. Then swing the cable towards the door panel and snap the white plastic collar in to its sleeve. |
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Re-Insert Door Lock Plug |
Push In Window Switch Plug |
Insert Door Lock Stalk |
Push the connectors
for the door lock switch and window switch straight in to their sockets
until they click in to place. Guide the black door lock stalk in to its hole at the top edge of the door panel. |
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Line Up Friction Fasteners |
Tap Edges of Door Panel |
Tighten Torx T-30 Screw |
Line up the
turquoise colored friction fasteners on the back side of the panel with
their corresponding holes on the metal door frame. Push firmly on the door panel at the bottom and each side to secure the friction fasteners in place. Insert the large Torx T-30 screw in to the hole behind the door opener handle and tighten it with the star bit screwdriver. |
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Snap In Door Handle Trim |
Door Opener Handle |
Lower Inner Edge Screw |
Pop the rectangular
plastic trim piece back in place behind the door opener handle. Replace the Phillips head screw at the bottom of the panel's inner edge. |
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Insert Arm Rest Screw |
Re-Insert Screw Cover Panel |
Lower Outer Edge Screw |
Replace the
Phillips head screw at the bottom of the door pull well in the arm rest.
Lower the black rectangular screw cover down into the door pull. Tighten the Phillips head screw at the lower outer edge of the door panel. |
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Upper Outer Edge Screw |
Replace Sail Panel |
Front Door Panel Replaced |
Replace the
Phillips head screw at the upper part of the outer edge. Push the sail panel back in place at the top front corner of the door panel. Check that the door opener handle, power door lock switch and power window switch still work properly. For more, please check out my
other
Ford Escape Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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