Rob.
That's where the Haynes manual is unclear. It says you loosen the screw through the door opening, but whether that means the window slot, the inner face, or under the exterior handle I really don't know. Even the manual photos don't help, being tiny, black & white, and printed on poor quality paper.
Going back to the metal rod, does the latch operate if you move it up and down? If so I reckon it is disconnected at the handle end.