1987 THUNDERBIRD TURBO COUPE DOOR PANEL REMOVALAND INFO ON POWER WINDOW MOUNTING BRACKET CLIPS

By Randy Wilhite

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This procedure was carried out on a 1987 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe with optional courtesy lighting group, power windows and power door locks. Your Turbo Coupe may be slightly different but most steps will still apply.

TOOLS NEEDED FOR DOOR PANEL REMOVAL

1. Small flat tip screwdriver.2. #2 Phillips screwdriver.3. 8mm socket.

REMOVAL STEPS:

1. You will have the door open for a considerable amount of time, so to prevent the interior courtesy lights from draining the battery, disconnect the negative 12 VDC cable from the battery.

2. Remove the metallic finished Phillips screw from the red and clear courtesy light lens assembly.

Pull out the courtesy light assembly and remove the bulb base from the assembly.

3. Insert flat tip screwdriver tip between the arm rest top piece and arm rest mounting base and pry up at indicated points to separate the snaps that hold the two pieces together.

4. Use flat tip screwdriver tip at indicated point to pry up the rear of the door lock panel, disconnect lock plug and remove panel.

5. Remove the Phillips screws from the map pocket and remove map pocket.

6. Remove the two remaining Phillips screws from the speaker grill.

7. Remove the Phillips screws securing the arm rest base assembly to the door - see the picture below to find the recessed screw beneath the door lock panel.

8. Using the 8mm socket, remove the bolt securing the chrome door handle to its latch assembly.

9. Use a small flat tip screwdriver to pry up ends of the two plastic door pull strap end trim pieces and remove them. Remove the Phillips screw from each end of the door pull strap.

10. Using your fingertips, pop loose the hidden christmas tree style plastic fasteners that secure the door trim panel to the door itself. Lift the entire panel up to clear the door lock button. Here is a picture of the type of fasteners that secure the door trim panel to the door:

11. Peel off the insulation from the door. You can now access the power window components - sort of - through the access holes in the door frame.

TO REMOVE WINDOW GLASS FROM THE DOOR

12. Remove the single Phillips screw from the triangular inside mirror mount trim piece and remove the trim piece.

13. Remove inside door sill wiper trim - one hidden Phillips screw is two inches behind the door lock button and the other is four inches behind leading edge of sill wiper trim piece.

14. Raise window until you can see the two white nylon clips that attach the glass to the window actuator lifting rail. Use a 10mm or 7/16 inch (depends on exactly which are installed) socket to remove the two nuts that secure the brackets to the actuator lifting rail. Push the bolts out of the mounting holes.

15. Lower window to full down position and lift glass out by the rear edge while tilting top of glass toward outside of the car body.

NOTES:

a. The adhesive that body shops use to secure the glass to the white nylon clips is Betaseal U-418 Quick Cure Primerless to Autoglass Urethane by Dow Automotive Systems.

b. I was unable to find the original ford nylon clips that mount the glass to the actuator lifting rail, even though I Googled the part number stamped in the original clips on my car. A workable substitute is part # 69951-12180 (package of five). You will have to drill a 7mm hole just above the two original clip mounting holes in the window actuator lifting rail as these clips are slightly shorter in height than the Ford originals and will not clear the top of the actuator lifting rail.

c. REINSTALLATION NOTE: Be sure to feed door lock and courtesy light wiring connectors through the door trim panel before installing screws or popping Christmas tree fasteners back into place.