door handle removal

[swerve2007]

hi guys,
i am swapping the driver side door handle and am having hell-of-a-time disconnecting the little connecting rod from the lock mechanism- it fits in a little plastic sleeve and supposed to just slide out. there is not much room to manouver and i've tried couple things but no results.

any ideas?

 

[C-speed]

I used a 90deg pick to grab the rod and have a handle to hold on to, then using a long skinny screwdriver to push against the metal crescent shaped piece that the plastic thingy slides on so you don't bend it. Then pull really hard with the pick

 

[swerve2007]

got it,
thanks