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View Full Version : Door Lock Actuator Replacement



StangBabe89
10-30-2004, 11:29 PM
Since apparently a good chunk of people on here had no idea how to replace a door lock actuator, I'll share my experience ('89 Mustang, driver's side.)

I couldn't find anyone that knew from experience how to do this or anything in my car's manual, so I figured it couldn't be that hard and jumped right in.

First, take off the door panel. Simple enough. Unplug the actuator. Taking out the actuator is easier said than done. There are two clips holding it in on either side...good luck prying these apart without breaking something or cutting your arms on the metal. Once you've pried the clips apart, take out the actuator. Put the new one in...once again, good luck getting them BACK into the clips. Plug it back up...put the door panel back on...and you're good to go. But, expect this to be an hour project...unless there's some easier way to get those clips off. :dunno: :banghead:

HORSEpower
10-31-2004, 12:23 PM
Most newer stangs have a giant pop rivet holding the actuator in. You usually have to drill the pop rivet, and replace it with a bolt. If you were able to actually remove it from the clips that's awesome.

Kurt

StangBabe89
11-01-2004, 11:45 PM
Yeah, there was a giant rivet thingy with the clips holding the actuator in. I didn't want to drill out the rivet...that's a pain in the ass, and I also wasn't at my shop with my tools. It took the entire hour of trying to pull the actuator out...finally i just got pissed and decided if I broke something, it couldn't do any more damage, so I just pulled really hard and the actuator came out. Woo hoo. :D No wonder no one really seemed how to do this...buying a door from the junkyard would've been easier. :D

HORSEpower
11-01-2004, 11:50 PM
Drilling the rivet is easy.

Kurt

StangBabe89
11-03-2004, 1:12 PM
Yeah, I know...I've worked on airplanes since I was 3...but that doesn't mean I had the tools nearby. And honestly, just pulling the clips apart was a whole lot easier. :D

TheSean
11-03-2004, 1:34 PM
so what'r ya gonna do now?

StangBabe89
11-03-2004, 5:26 PM
Nothing right now...car goes on hold while I'm starting physical therapy. :(