Remove a Ford Aerostar Sliding Door Lock
The Ford Aerostar was introduced in 1986 and produced until 1997, when it was replaced by the Ford Windstar. The Aerostar was Ford's first minivan and was designed to compete with the popular Dodge Caravan. The Aerostar is known for never undergoing a complete redesign throughout its 11-year production cycle--a rarity in the automotive industry. Although slight variances can be found between models, the basic van never changed, making most repair procedures the same for all year models. This includes removing or replacing the sliding door lock.
Instructions
1. Park the Aerostar on level ground. Engage the parking brake and disconnect the negative battery cable. Gather all tools needed, and move to the back seat.
2. Begin removing the door panel to access the lock. There are two interior panels for the Aerostar's sliding door; one surrounding the window and one surrounding the lower part of the door. You do not need to remove the panel surrounding the window. Instead, remove the screw located inside the sliding door ashtray. Pry off the trim panel surrounding the ashtray.
3. Remove the seven screws around the perimeter of the door panel. Pop out the clips mounting the panel to the door. Peel back the protective cover.
4. Locate the door lock actuator on the side of the door closest to the front of the van. Unhook the locking rod from the door actuator. Open the door slightly to gain access to the three bolts mounting the lock on the inside door jamb. Remove the bolts and remove the door lock.
Tags: Ford Aerostar, Aerostar Sliding, Aerostar Sliding Door, door lock, door panel, Ford Aerostar Sliding
