Liftgate Button Removal

[Zerokoo149]

I'm trying to figure out how to remove the liftgate button that is in the liftgate to replace it. The button pictured in this thread:

2019 Liftgate Button on the actual liftgate

2019 Ford Expedition Max: Keyfob, button by steering wheel and (sometimes)on the bumper all work, glass butting and button below glass to open ALL WORK, but the button that is on the actual liftgate when pushed will not close the gate or do anything….

www.expeditionforum.com

I don't to start prying at it since I don't want to mar the plastic around it. I imagine it's a fairly simple removal process, but I'm not sure if I have to pop off the whole panel and remove from the inside. Has anyone on here done this before and could tell me the best way?

I already checked other threads and youtube, but wasn't able to find anything.

Thanks in advance!

 

[LegalBrief]

You take off rear panel with a soft plastic trim pry tool, then you can release the switch from the rear and or pop it out. Otherwise you will scratch

 

[Zerokoo149]

You take off rear panel with a soft plastic trim pry tool, then you can release the switch from the rear and or pop it out. Otherwise you will scratch

Thanks for confirm, only took about 3 mins to pull the panel off.

Funny enough, I saw immediately that the switch was operating perfectly once I popped it out of the housing. As soon as I would put it back in, it would start sticking again. I just shaved a little plastic around the 4 sides of the opening with a utility knife, I had to do it a few times inserting and taking the button out. Finally after the 3rd or 4th "shave" it started working fine and hasn't stuck since.

Everything looks factory again once I reinstalled the button, in case anyone else runs into the same issue with the button sticking. Total job about 10 minutes and $0.

 

[Michael D Morris]

As the others have recommended, I used a soft plastic trim tool and the button popped right out. No need to remove any panels. A new button (switch) was about $28 at the Ford dealership.

 

[5280tunage]

I have a similar post on here where I detail part of the design flaw with these buttons. there is nothing mechanical that provides the return force for the button, other than a flimsy rubber filament. If these were maybe designed more like a keyboard key that has springs that return the key's to their resting position, it might last longer. In cold weather the rubber becomes stiff and functions even worse. I put a little silicone lubricant in mine the last time I took it apart, that also seemed to help a bit, but about a year later I'm feeling it stick again, especially as the days are getting colder, just a cheap flimsy design.