Door latch problem

[beemeraid]

Hi,
I just signed up today. I have a 1996 528i (E39) and in a recent cold spell the drivers side door latch just snapped off in my hand. So I have a new one all painted up ready to go but I'm having major problems working out how to install this thing. Can this be done from the outside? Removing the door panel reveals very little that can be accessed. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[marti5]

You will need to remove the door lock to enable you to reach the two nuts that hold the door handle unit on.

[beemeraid]

Thanks Marti5,
I had a feeling this was not going to be a quick fix. The new door latch comes with only 4 rubber grommets to attach. 2 can be seen from outside under the latch, the other 2 are obscured even with the door panel off. Removing the lock therefore seems to be what is needed. Right now I can't even get the door panel back on correctly as it does not engage at the top. I can see this is going to take a lot of patience and fiddling about to complete. Thanks again for your post.

[marti5]

It does take a lot of patience, but you will get there in the end.