Expert: William Forster - 10/29/2006

Question
I have something loose down near the speaker opening of the right door panel of my 2002 F150 pickup. The noise it makes is most distracting. I would like to be able to remove the door panel to fix the rattle. Can you give me instructions so I don't damage the door panel or fasteners?

Answer
Okay, its been a while since I did a ford truck, but I think I can help. There may be a bezel around the inside door handle. If so, remove it. There may be an elongated oval shaped plate, around the door pull. Carefully pry it off. There will be 2 screws underneath it. remove them. There may be a cover over the mirror area. If so, remove it. There may be a screw hidden under that cover. Now, the interior panel should pull straight up, and off, with medium pressure. If it won't move, carefully search for hidden screws. There may be one hidden under the power window switch panel, but use EXTREME caution when trying to remove it. If it still won't budge, I would reassemble the panel, and have a pro do it. Interior panels are expensive to replace, as well as the switch bezel. If you do get it off, check all fasteners for tightness. It sounds like one of the window trolley assembly bolts have worked loose, and you are hearing the sound through the thinnest part of the door panel- the speaker and grille. Hope this helps. Bill