The door lock on the "sliding side door" is bad on my '98 Windstar. Does anyone have any knowledge around the removal of the door panel so that I may repair it?

By the way ... I am 99.99% sure that the door lock is bad.

Thanx in advance for any and all help.

for the 0.01% chance that it is not the door lock have you considered the plunger contacts?

Yes ... I have considered the contacts. They have been cleaned, buffed with fine emory cloth, and prayed for.

One thing to look for is a "hidden" screw on the inside face of the panel, near the bottom-rear. The door has to be slightly ajar to access it.

BTW, I had to adjust on of my '99's door locks very early on. Once you look at it, it's fairly simple to dope-out.