How to install outer door handle on1997 thunderbird

Remove the door's inner (interior) panel and inspect the trailing edge of the inside of the door. You should be able to see the door linkage from both the inner door handle and (what's left) of the outer handle (try moving the inner handle to see how the linkage is routed. I suspect that when the outer handle broke, its linkage dropped onto the inner handle's linkage and jammed it. With a long screwdriver, try moving the inner handle linkage to release the door latch and then replace the outer handle and its linkage (a salvage yard may be the best source and a Mitchell body repair manual should show hoe the linkage is routed and attached. Good luck.

You will have to remove the door panel. To do this use a phillips screwdriver and remove the two screws under the inside door handle. Then lift and remove the section. Remove another screw from the interior lower left corner. Pry the window crank apart "if exists" then use a T20 torq bit to remove the screw in handle. Remove the panel by lifting and pulling at same time. With window in up position you can see inside the hole a rod going from the door handle to a bracket with a Yellow clip. Slide the clip to the open position and pull the rod out of the clip. From the outside of door under the handle there are two rivets. Use a punch and knock out the center of each rivet. Then use a 1/4" drill bit and drill out the rivet. A flat tip screwdriver will be used to knock off the rest of the rivet. You will need two flat head screws and lock nuts or to reinstall the handle. Lift out old handle with attached rod. Twist rod as you pull to remove it and install it into the new handle. Place the rod through the hole and look inside to be sure is will move to the location of the yellow clip.Install the screws from the outside and the nuts from the inside and tighten. From inside connect the rod to the yellow clip. Lift on the rod while closing the clip. Then test door handle. If it doesn't work properly the rod was not lifted or pulled outward enough. Redo that step until you get it right. Reinstall inner panel as removed.

please rate highly if this helps.

Front Door Trim Panel Printable View (126 KB)

1. Disconnect the battery. For additional information, refer to Section 414-00.

1. Remove the components in the order indicated in the following illustration and table.
   
   
   Item Part Number Description 1 23712 Sail panel 2 221A18 Door handle cup cover 3 W706476-S424 Screw 4 237A98 Door handle cup assembly
   Removal Note 5 18978 Speaker cover 6 - Speaker electrical connector (Part of 18808) 7 W706476-S424 Screws (7 req'd) 8 23942 Door trim panel
   Removal Note

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

Item 4: Door Handle Cup Assembly Removal Note

1. Lift up at the front of the door handle cup assembly, move it forward to remove and disconnect the electrical connectors.

Item 8: Door Trim Panel Removal Note

1. If equipped, disconnect the electrical connector.

you have to take off the inner door panel and there should be a device that hooks up to the outer door handle. then the outer handle should come off.

remove inside door panel, remove bolts/screws of old door handle, install new handle

As per the Haynes manual for your vehicle.
DOOR WINDOW GLASS-REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION:
1. Remove the door outer panal.
2. Lower the window glass.
3. remove the two nuts and one screw securing the glass.
4. Remove the glass by lifting it up carefully and rotating it inward.
5. Installation is reversal of removal.

DOOR OUTER PANAL-REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION:
1. Remove door trim panal.
2. Remove the outside mirror. Remove the foam block from the mirror opening.
3. Remove the outside door handle.
4. Open the door and pry thhe outer sealing strip out of the window glass opening.
5. remove the door panal screws.
6. Detach the front and rear of the outer panel, then lift it toward the rear to remove it.
7. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure. Apply thread locking compound to the panel retaining screws.

OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE-REMOVAL:
1. Pull handle out and puch the centers of the retaining pins through the pins, then remove them and detach handle. (These pins are located underneath the handle.

Hope this helps, let me know if you need any other help.

go to ebay motors and search your year make model then service repair manual obtain a cd repair manual it has extensive wiring schematics and electrical component locator in it along with repair procedures and illustrations for about $20.00

there is no part that i am aware of that is called a "CROSS DOCK" so to help you with this problem we need to know the correct name of the part, contact Ford parts and ID the part with the correct name

On the inside trim, you can remove screws that are by the door handle, arm rest, under door and side of door and then gently pull back on the panel as there will also be retaining clips attached and you don't want to break them. You'll need to lift the door panel upwards in order to get it off the window ledge. Then you'll need to manipulate the panel and disconnect the door handle linkage from the door handle and disconnect the wiring for your controls. Then you can remove the inner door handle and replace with new one. If it's your outer door handle, pull back the weather seal and disconnect the linkage to the outer door handle and then remove the bolts securing the outer handle to the door

sounds like a plastic Sir clip of course you say external handel detached from door consider linkage clip has fallen down!