Rear passenger door latch

[krazy_texan]

Ok so 2 times now I have disassembled my right rear passenger door to fix the latch and both times I had it working until I reassembled the door put the panel on it then it quit I laugh about it but at the same time it's frustrating. I tried getting the latch out so I could get either repair or replace it. My biggest issue was that I could not get the clip off that held the rod from the outside door handle so do you guys got any pointers

[motornut]

my 78 used a metal clip it has a little catch you have to lift up,the clip is tapered to a point over the clip
my later ones 87,88 use a plastic clip,you have to turn it away/off from the rod,(feel a slight pop)pull out the rod and the clip comes out