I have a year 2000 Ford Escort Estate. I need to remove the inner trim on one rear door so I can pop out a small dent on the door. How do I remove the (manual) door winder handle? The Haynes manual is useless. It says put a piece of cloth between the handle and trim (I've done that but I don't know why) and then release the spring clip. I can't see any spring clip, let alone release it! The space between the handle and the trim is covered by a thick plastic washer. I've pushed it back a little with a screwdriver but I still can't see any spring clip, though obviously there is a clip somewhere holding the handle on. What do I do? Thanks guys.

There is a surclip behind the winder, bit of a sod to be honest.

I have always wedged a screwdriver behind the winder, but in front of the plastic shroud, and turned the winder. You will feel the edge of the surclip. Keep winding the handle until you wedge it and it "pops" off. Then spend the next half an hour or so trying to find it again.

Jobs a good'un

There is a surclip behind the winder, bit of a sod to be honest.

I have always wedged a screwdriver behind the winder, but in front of the plastic shroud, and turned the winder. You will feel the edge of the surclip. Keep winding the handle until you wedge it and it "pops" off. Then spend the next half an hour or so trying to find it again.

Jobs a good'un

Whereabouts is the circlip? Is it on the plastic collar of the handle or is it inside it with two ends protruding through it? I've had a screwdriver in there and can't feel anything when I turn the handle! I can just about see the plastic collar of the handle beneath the shroud and a little bit of the metal winder shaft. The collar seems smooth, except where I've scraped a bit of plastic away on the screwdriver blade. The circlip can't be on the shaft beyond the handle. I've attached a drawing of how I imagine the handle looks like on the shaft. Can you say whereabouts the circlip is (I've stuck letters on the drawing to help) so I can see what I'm trying to find? Many thanks.

As per my "attempt" at a diagram, you can see the shape of the surclip.

This goes through the plastic winder grooves (1)and then slots into the grooves on the metal winder spigot (2).

You have to somehow move this surclip out of the groove and then the handle simply slides off.

The circlip sits tight in behind the winder, which is why its difficult to see. I've always used a hook made from an old bicycle wheel-spoke to pop them off.

How do I remove the (manual) door winder handle? The Haynes manual is useless. It says put a piece of cloth between the handle and trim (I've done that but I don't know why) and then release the spring clip. I can't see any spring clip, let alone release it!

I'v always done it the way Haynes say, get a length of strong cloth, I always use a bit of old towel, slide one side down then take it around the handle so both ends meet, making a loop around the handle, pull it tight and slowly move the cloth around the handle.

The clip is shaped like a horse shoe with a small lip poking outwards on both ends, what the cloth does is "grab" one of the lips and opens up the clip so it can be withdrawn, it can take a while so be patient, but it will come out in the end.

Hope this helps

Regards

James

Success! I used a right-angled screwdriver in my toolbox, found the clip and prised it off sufficiently to withdraw the handle. Thanks for all your help, guys.

No problem.

Glad you got it off

Success! I used a right-angled screwdriver in my toolbox, found the clip and prised it off sufficiently to withdraw the handle. Thanks for all your help, guys.

EXCELLENT NEWS!!!

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