Chevrolet Repair: door will not open from outside, door latch, panal

Question
Our rear passenger door will not open from the outside. This is a 1999 GMC surburban.  I removed the interior panal and found a metal rod about 8 inches in length with a foam square around it.  I need to know how to replace this part to get our door to open from the outside again. I have also had problems with that door lock,  will that peice have anything to do with that??Thanks in advance for any information that you can provide.  

Answer
Hi Tonya, This rod has to be connected to the outside handle and to the door latch. It has clips that retain it to both parts, well the bottom might be a hole that the rod just goes into. Either the clip has broke or the outside handle where the rod connects to. Some times it might be best to remove the door panel from the other side to see  how it goes back it together.

Hope  this helps

Have a Great Day             Mark