HELP! With removal of exterior door handle

[Blacksmithslater]

Hi there, I have searched posts until I'm blue and cursing to figure out how to remove the little clip holding the rod that goes from the exterior door handle to the latch mech.  All I've found so far is folks saying to remove it...HOW??  I've had my screwdriver and flashlight in there for so long, trying to get the rod out so I can remove and replace the exterior door handles.  It's an 85 Silverado.  I've got the door panel off and am reaching in through the access hole.  I can't seem to get the clip to move up or down or forward or backward.  PLEASE HELP!

[Captkaos]

it has a metal clip on it that must be moved up to release the rod.  I use a small screwdriver and pry up the tab and then push the clip up.  Then the rod will pop out.

It is a major task to get it off and takes some patience.

[Blacksmithslater]

Thanks!  But where is the tab that you pry up?  I don't see one.  Is it on the back side of the base of the rod?

[Blazin]

I leave the rod on the exterior handle. I take the clip off the latch end. They are a sucker, but allot easier inside the door than the one on the exterior handle end. I use a 90 degree pick lift up and slid it or turn it to the side just enough to keep the little itty bitty locking tab from dropping back into the hole. Then you can use a screw driver to slid it back. Once slid back a bit the rod comes out through it. Reinstall you slide it all the way forward and pop the rod through the clip. Allot of the time the clip breaks.

[nucknoel89]

I found it works just to pull out the pin that connects the rod to the handle button.

[JJSZABO]

I've broke both my clips from the latch end taking my handles out.  I just replaced them with better clips that I pulled from junk yard doors.  It takes patience but they will pop off.

[Blacksmithslater]

Okay, cool guys, thanks.  I'm going to try again today later to give my patience tank time to refill.

[VileZambonie]

Just slide it up but not all the way off. The little tang looks like in this picture