my question has to do with removing the handle without removing the door panel. if one has a key, you turn it to the lock position and the whole handle comes off from outside the car, after you've loosened it up and removed the 2 screws. The lock on the drivers side has either been replaced in the past, or the lock mechanism has failed. I can't turn it at all, and broke the head of one of the new dealer supplied keys. all other locks and ignition work with the new keys.
OK, the door panel is off, but I can't get the thing to come out WITHOUT a key! I've searched, believe me. evry body says just turn the key in the lock and it comes out. I don't have a key. Can I just twist the whole mechanism 90 degrees as someone said or am I just gonna break it. There's so many things on these cars that you just don't know if you're gonna bust something by forcing it.

Never mind... I forced it out and broke off the rod from the handle, oh well, I got 2 replacements from the donor. Now to reassemble. "Installation is the reverse of removal", HA!

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'82 240D automatic to manual (sold)
'84 300D (sold)
'12 MINI CooperS Coupe
'71 Triumph Stag
'76 MGB
'08 BMW 535XI wagon
'12 VW Golf TDI