The white plastic piece of both driver and passenger exterior door handles broke within two days of each other.
I have replacement units via eBay but I need specific steps to install new handles. I so far see no way to connect the 'u' shaped hook on the latch actuator rod to the door handle.
I have door panel removed but cannot manipulate the rod hook to go thru the hole in the handle.
Do I have to remove the latch and the actuator assembly to move the rod into the correct position to fit into the handle?
Thanks in advance

 

Eureka!! Yea!! Whoopi!! I was able to figure it out myself. I used a loop of nylon wire thru the outside hole in the door and then under the hook on the actuator rod. I positioned the white plastic part of the new handle outside the door with the hole vertical. Then I pulled up on the loop and was able to get the hook on the actuator rod to slip thru the hole in the white piece of the handle. Then I rotated the handle and wiggled the interior part of handle thru the door until the bolts would match with the handle. Tightened them and replaced the door panels and now we have outside door handles that actually open the doors.
Now that I know how to do this, I assume the rear handles will fail soon and I will know how to fix them. That is the one positive plus I will continue to be able to enjoy driving a rear wheel drive Volvo wagon!