Help needed w/ replacing the '89 rear door latch assy to a later '90-'95 assy

[NORMAN]

Hello forum members,

I have an early model '89 that has a broken driver side rear door exterior handle. I purchased a textured black exterior handle from E-bay without the knowledge that it was different. I found out when it got here and I got the old one off to compare it with.

The later exterior door handle use a rod to connect it to the latch assembly when the early door and latch assembly use a different connection method. On the early handle there is a tab that push down on the latch assembly directly.

So, I ordered a later year model rear door latch assembly, and got it here. Everything minus the method of handle to latch connection looks to be the same. The door handle rod to latch assembly is different, so I used my original one.

The curved metal latch to handle and plastic rods that came with the latch assembly came loose in the box. I don't know in what direction or orientation they go, so I've been at it all afternoon without any luck. My problem is that my set of Ford manuals are for an '89, and not the later model Tauruses.

I think it must be easy, but I'm missing how it all connects up. I've tried a few different directions, and/or orientations without any luck so far. I can't seem to locate an exploded parts diagram for the early Taurus rear doors online, so if anyone has one that can be shared on here, it'd be great! If anyone can explain in lieu of a diagram then that'd work as well if I can follow it.

Thank you.

 

[NORMAN]

I bought a subscription at alldata.com, but it didn't have what I needed to look at.

If anyone could please scan the Ford manual's exploded diagram of the driver's side rear door latch assembly area then that'd be great!

It has be of the 2nd generation ie: '92-'95, because that's what my latch assembly is.

I may have to try the local Ford dealership tomorrow to see how clear of a diagram they can get me if it might help me out.

If I can't get either then I will probably drive the 30 miles to nearest you pull it junkyard to take a look for myself.

 

[NORMAN]

It was finally solved not too long ago thanks to some help from a good member on here. I'll edit this post at a later time to elaborate a bit further on it. Thanks to you all who read this today. Whew, something so simple, yet it had me stumped there for a while!

:laugh_ti:

EDIT:

I'll go ahead and call out the member on here who helped me. He even helped me on a holiday, so it was kind of him. He goes by the user name Jelloslug, so hey Jelloslug - Thank you very much again for the diagrams! If you read this, and post in this thread then I'll click on the thank you button for you.

The problem I had was direction or orientation of where the curved metal link was supposed to go. The correct later year diagrams showed that it was supposed to be hung horizontally, so it was when I decided to take another look at my door. My 89 only diagrams showed only the early latch assembly which is different.

Good enough, I finally noticed how I had missed the silver hoop hanging off the bottom of exterior handle on the inside. It was slightly bent backwards, so I bent it back out. Then, this curved metal link dropped right into the hoop. It didn't make sense to me how there was nothing attached to the other end of that curved link, but the problem was I had the link set up vertically the whole time. I was scratching my head for quite a while there.

A couple of pictures for SHO owners with early 89s who might want or need to change over to the later latch assembly should there be any difficulties in locating the early 86-89 replacement exterior door handles. All you need would be the later latch assembly with curved metal link, threaded plastic rod, correct exterior handle with the spring hoop, and the original latch to interior door handle connection rod.

 

[jelloslug]

Glad to see that you got it to work.

 

[NORMAN]

Glad to see that you got it to work.

:thankyou: