Christmas eve I went to grab the outside door handle and it seems like right side of the door handle hinge came off or out and the entire handle seem to disengage from the locking mechanism. I can lock the door from inside and open the door from inside but the outer handle will not open the unlocked door. Like I said, it feels like the handle almost comes off the door (at least the right side as you face the rear passenger door). I've got a Haynes book that gives a so so sketch of the door mechanism. So far I haven't got to look at the outside of the door closely but will tomorrow.
I know my questions are kinda vague without looking at the handle but I'm hoping someone has had this experience and might guess as to what is wrong and whether its just an adjustment or a part is needed? Is it just a replacement of the outside door handle? If the outside door handle only needs replacing, does the inside trim need to be removed still? I'm also trying to decide whether to do this myself or have my mechanic do it. I'm average in skill level but getting too lazy for the knuckle buster jobs now. I replaced an inside door handle on this door about 2 years ago myself (didn't consider that a hard job at all).
thanks all and happy holidays....