I am lost, please Help (liftgate / hatch will not open)

[Blue Brick]

I just bought a 01 Expedition. The rear hatch does not open. I opened the door manually. Door cable is fine. Window cable is broken. Here is where I am lost.

The lever that pulls the door cable does not move when the handle is turned.

The key lock assembly is attached to nothing other than the door. It has a rod that moves up and down, but is not really attached to anything.

I can hear what I think are the locks moving when I cycle the locks, but I don’t see anything moving in the mechanism.

How do I change the window cable? Am I missing parts? This was a family purchase and I am the third owner. I was the first to open the panel. Any suggestions?

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

Welcome aboard.

Remove the inner beauty panel; you'll have to cut the moisture barrier and use shrink-wrap tape to seal it back up. Trace your cables. You'll probably see pieces of black-like rubber/plastic as you peek around at the bottom of your door. 3 of my 4 ends were completed deteoriated off & the 4th cracked when I wrangled it out. Replacements are machined aluminum.

I HIGHLY suggest your replace both of them, one at a time. They may visually seem o.k., however the ends will rot off leaving you, unfortunately, stranded.

I took the latch mechanism off on mine ('97) to be able to remove the old broken one & reinstall new cable-much easier. Tight quarters inside.

Ordered @ https://www.ebay.com/itm/221754934910?ViewItem=&item=221754934910

Thanks & Report your resolve.

 

[Blue Brick]

It just unbolts?

Does your key tumbler assembly have a rod hanging from it? It looks like it doesn't do anything.