Door lock how do you remove the door panel to get to the locking device

remove door panel and examine lock linkage

Instructions

• Remove the two Phillips screws in the arm rest and the singular screw holding the cover in front of the door handle. Remove the outside mirror cover by prying it off with the common screwdriver.
• 2Remove the door panel by inserting the common screwdriver in between the door panel and the door. Slide the screwdriver along the outside circumference of the door and pry the trim fasteners out of their recess.
  
• 3
  
• Remove the door panel and disconnect the electrical connectors to the switches.
  Remove the electrical connector from the power door lock through the access panel in the door.
  
• 4Remove the power lock mechanism located below the door latch. The power lock mechanism is in a bracket attached to the back-side of the door below the door striker. The door lock is snapped into its bracket with the rubber bushings. It has a vertical rod running from the door lock to the door latch. Unsnap the door lock and then lift it up and turn it so the rod can be removed from the door latch.
  
• 5Install the door lock and door panel in reverse order of removal
  

yes you need to remove the door panel yes you can reuse the cylinder but you will need a new clip to hold it

Sounds as if the connection from the automatic lock motor has become disconnected. Inside the door panel there is a set-up of components that allow the motor to move in or out which locks and unlocks the doors. These wire rods that run up to your exposed manual locking device, as well as to the locking device inside the door, have been know to come loose. heavy door use, slamming the door, and age plays a factor in how those connectors come loose. It's actually not that hard to remove the door panel in question and fix it yourself. Just Google search your model car/truck and locate the location of the Screws etc. that attach the door panel. Should be pretty simple once you have the panel off and removed the plastic seal that most car companies place under the panel. The part that has come loose should be hanging inside the door closest to the locking seal in the door jam. I hope you were able to follow my instructions and I hope you don't pay anyone to repair your problem because it's simple!

Here is a common way to remove your door pannel:

1st, find the screw that is attaching the inside door handle (looks like an armrest) to the door panel. remove this screw. there is also a screw located at the door lever (the device you use to open the door from the inside). remove this screw. after this, slide your door panel up to remove it.

Like reference guide, check this procedure to Removal & Installation / Door Lock Motor...

The door lock motor is integral with the door latch. If the door lock motor is found to be defective, the entire door latch must be replaced.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section.
2. Roll the door glass down.
3. Disengage the 2 clips attaching the speaker grille to the door trim panel. (They are at the front of the grille, one near the top, and the other one at the bottom).
4. Remove the 3 large washer-headed screws surrounding the speaker.
   
   
   Fig. Fastener location for the door lower trim panel
   
5. Remove the access cover at the front of the door trim panel. Remove by prying at its rear edge.
6. Remove the red courtesy reflector from the lower tail of door. Disengage by prying at the screwdriver notch at the bottom of the reflector.
7. Remove the flag trim panel from the door by prying it off at the 2 attachment clip points.
8. Remove the 7 screws attaching the door trim panel to door:
   1. One screw is located at the lower rear screw pocket.
   2. Three screws are located along the bottom of the door.
   3. One screw is located inside the handle opening.
   4. One screw is located at the upper front.
   5. One screw is in the pull cup.
      
9. Disengage the 2 hidden clips attaching the rear of the trim panel; pry them off at the 2 attachment clip points.
10. Lift the trim panel upward and away from the door, disengage the trim panel from the upper retainer channel.
11. Disengage the clip attaching the latch linkage to back door handle.
12. Disconnect the electrical connectors as necessary, including the lower foot light, if equipped.
13. Remove the door trim panel from the door.
14. Remove the water shield (water dam) from the inside of the door.
    
    
    Fig. Remove the flag trim panel, door trim access cover, inside remote handle, and power door lock switch
    
15. Raise the door glass.
16. Remove the bolt and nut for the rear glass run channel and position the channel aside.
17. Disconnect the lock rod from the lock button bellcrank.
18. Disengage the lock and latch rods from the clips on the inner door panel.
19. Disconnect the lock and latch rods from the outside door handle and the key cylinder at the door latch.
20. Disconnect the wire connector from the power door lock motor.
21. Remove the screws attaching the door latch to the door end frame.
22. Remove the door latch and the power door lock motor from the vehicle.
    
    
    Fig. Expanded view of the door lock, latch, and linkage
    
    
    
    Fig. View of the door lock button, latch rod, lock rod, and door latch
    

Hope helps (remember rated this).

Toyota Corolla 1988-1997 Repair Guide Door Locks - REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
(see Figure 1)

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the door panel and watershield. Remove the service hole cover.
3. Disconnect the door outside opening linkage. Remove the two mounting bolts and remove the door handle if in need of replacement.

Fig. 1: Power door lock control system component locations

1. Disconnect the lock cylinder control linkage.
2. Remove the lock knob and the child protector lock lever knob.
3. Remove the lock assembly retaining screws and remove the door lock. If equipped with power locks, disconnect the electrical harness.
4. To remove the lock cylinder, remove the lock cylinder retaining clip and pull the cylinder from the door.

To install:

1. Coat all the door lock sliding surfaces with multi-purpose grease.
2. Install the outside handle with the two retaining bolts, if removed.
3. Install the door lock solenoid linkage to the door lock.
4. Connect the link to the outside handle.
5. Install the lock knob and the child protector lock lever knob.
6. Install the door opening control link tighten the mounting bolts to 48 inch lbs. (5 Nm).
7. Install the door lock cylinder control linkage.
8. Install the door panel and watershield.
9. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

Hope help with this; remember rated this post and thank you for using Fixya.

Are you speaking of the Rod or are you talking the locking mechanism.if it is the locking device you must remove the arm rest screws remove all the screws in the panel then with a putty knife gently pop out the pins that hold the door panel on, these will be used again later to reinstall the panel with. Next pull up the panel and lift away the panel to get inside of the door. Also remove the screws from the handle and window crank if it's not electric. with a razor blade cut the plastic away from the door near the lock. Go around and down 15 inches each side by the lock. Do not cut the plastic cut between the plastic and door frame. You will reuse the tar to put plastic back on, this keeps dirt and moisture out of the car..
Next remove plastic piece off the door lock look at the rod and see if it's bent or if the plastic hook that holds the rod on is in place. If it is not you will have to buy a new one. At the dealer or the junk yard. with your fingers move the rod to see if it operates the lock mechanism if it does then the fault may lie in the locking device It may have to be adjusted. If you need a book look on this web page as you log in and type in your vehicle name here to get a manual to review what you need to do before you start. Hope this helps.

you will have to remove door panel , remove screws holding door panel ,some are hidden behind little covers or plugs,after panel is off unhooh linkage to lock, remove clip holding lock in, then slide lock out. take note of position of lock install new lock the same way ,good luck hope this is helpful.

To take the door panels off first remove all of the screws, some are hidden under clip on plastic pieces, using a door panel tool (you can get one at any parts store for around $5.00) work it around the panel. The squealing is most likely coming from the rod that works the lock.