Here's the cheapest way I found to get the lighter socket tool....

Dorman 56457 Lighter Socket And Removal Tool Compatible with Select Models

Buy Dorman 56457 Lighter Socket And Removal Tool Compatible with Select Models at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision!

www.amazon.com

 

Ok thanks.
It says doesn't fit a 14 Escape but I trust you.

 

I've used that tool on quite a few Ford models and on the Escape rear console outlet.
It depresses both of the plastic ears holding in outlet and then you pull straight out.

 

Like I said, I have full trust in you.
Ordered it 5 minutes after reading your initial response.

 

I pulled the charging port sleeve with the expectation that I could tighten up the sides of the sleeve that are often functioning as springs to prevent wobble of whatever you plug in. The 14 escape does not have this style of sleeve. It is essentially smooth around the outside except for a ridge that runs the length of the metal portion. That seems to function to keep the metal sleeve from spinning in the top plastic trim piece.

However I don't see any way to tighten up the sleeve to better grip and hold the charger. Other than by distorting the shape at certain points along the length. The top of the metal sleeve is nowhere near small enough to even touch the charger. However the charger fits nice and snug in the 12 volt outlet that is in the console between the seats.

What I did notice was that with the charger inserted, rotating the charger until it stops essentially locks one of the charger ground bars into the previously mentioned channel. Doing so stabilizes things greatly. I doubt that is how it was designed but it seems to be a pretty decent hack.

Now the problem is I cannot get the inner metal charger sleeve with top plastic trim ring attached to stay in the hole where it belongs in the console. When I get it near properly aligned so the 12 volt label is properly aligned, I can hear plastic clicking if I gently rotate it. I'm assuming those are the plastic clips that need to grab. It sounds as though they are in need of being slightly adjusted outwards.

Is this correct? Did I somehow break them off when removing the charger sleeve and the plastic 12 volt trim piece? I used the tool in the two square holes in the sleeve and everything came out just as expected. I tried to use the tool to reseat the assembly in the console by pushing down while the tool was engaged but this did not work either.

So now I have a tighter power outlet which flops around on the console.

Assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

Well. I broke two of the three or four tabs off of the trim ring well removing the power socket.

I had engaged the tool just fine but I did not realize that I needed to hold the upper trim ring in place while pulling up on the socket sleeve. The socket sleeve came up about halfway and then the upper trim ring started to come out. I pulled them as one unit, then removed the trim ring.

I purchased a replacement part from Ford and put the trim ring in place first, then slid the inner sleeve in. Upon seating, it clicks everything into place the way it should be.

Hopefully this will keep it others from breaking their power socket trim rings out of blatant ignorance