Ok, this may be a little confusing, but I'll try to make it as simply as possibly:

On the interior door panel of my 2004 Ford Escape XLT, on the drivers door, is a loose and rattling screw. Here's the hard part, describing where it is. You know when you get into your car, and you grip the interior of your door to close it? Well, that the part I am talking about. For those that have a Ford Escape of this year, or within a few years of this model, you know that I am talking about. It is just below the interior door handle in the driver's seat. The screw that keeps that piece (the one you grab onto to close the door) is loose. It rattles loudly everytime I play music, go over a speed bump, etc.. I have tried tightening it, but I believe it is stripped or out of alignment because it just turns repeatedly and never actually tightens. I have attempted to pull it out, but this was also to no avail because I think it is held in by a washer of some sort. I thought about taking off the entire door panel, but thought this to be a bad idea at the time. I prefer not to have to take it into the dealership if I can avoid it. I would really appreciate some help with this!

Thanks!!!

 

Welcome to the site..

Are you talking about the door handle 'cup' with a single screw in the center?

 

Yes that's exactly what I'm talking about

 

Any ideas?

 

Generally that pull cup screws to a 'door pull bracket' (behind the trim panel) which attaches to the door metal shell itself.

Could be that bracket came loose causing the rattle. The cup itself usually won't make any noise if not cracked etc., but if the panel is allowed move it may. That screw tightens down into whats called a speed nut, or nutsert, that push into the bracket for an attachment point.

Most are nylon and are only intended to be tighten moderately. If you overtighten, they tend to strip out. If the screw just spins, take a tiny screw driver and get it under the screws edge and lightly twist as you try and back out the screw. As it moves up, keep an upward force using a larger driver or ? on the underside of screw until you can get it all the way out..

If you pull back'n forth on the door handle cup, do you hear/feel and loosness in the panel attachemnt?

 

Yes, mine does. you can actually pull it up. I thought about unplugging the switches to see if I could look down in there to find the screw but figured I'd wait. What do I need to purchase in order to repair this and it have a tight fit again?

 

If you haven't taken it off to see what is wrong its hard to give you a showing list unless you want to buy multiple parts.
Do you need instructions for how to remove the door handle cup part or the door panel itself?

 

Yes and what is the name of the part that I need to get?

 

So there is a screw here.

This screw goes through the door panel and screws into this.


Without you providing good information the possibilities would be - Missing screw, Missing/damaged speed nut, Damaged metal bracket, Heck could be a broken door panel.

Here are the directions for removing the door panel, do this and see what is missing/damaged.
Removal and Installation.

1. Remove the front door latch release handle bezel.
   1. Remove the screw.
   1. Remove the front door latch release handle bezel.

1. Remove the door handle cup screw.

1. Remove the front door trim panel.
   1. Remove the screws.
   1. Remove the front door trim panel and disconnect the electrical connector.

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

 

The metal bracket has broke I assume because its not there so, the pull handle just rises up and down when you pull on it to shut the door. Do I just need to buy a new bracket? If so is it called a pull handle bracket?