I'm currently struggling with this issue as well; I have not installed inner trim panels yet, but in looking ahead, felt that the link arm should run in the embossed "indention" of the inner door shell surface so that it would not rub against the door trim panel when installed. I may have solved this problem by installing the left inside door handle mechanism on the right side door, and vise-versa. This allows the mechanism link to be at the bottom of the mounting plate (under the inside handle instead of over it) and also allows this link to run in the indention in the inner door shell so that there may be clearance when installing the inner trim panel. I'm not sure how they were originally installed, as well as which way (originally) you were supposed to pull or push the inside handle to unlatch the door or to lock it. So far this seems to work OK, including the detent position of the mech to lock the doors from the inside. Comments/ideas? Thanks - Steve
