d.door locking rod

2005 Sub 1500LT. D. door will not lock from inside or out (manually or via power) unless I loosen the door panel and pull the horizontal rod toward the latch.

What part needs replacing or repairing to make the rod mechanism work like it should?

Is the rod retainer broken at the lock cylinder? If so you'll need to replace the retainer.

Is the rod retainer broken at the lock cylinder? If so you'll need to replace the retainer.

That might be. I loosened the panel, the little black slide switch cover had already fallen off, and I can now move the rod back and forth from the inside. The door already would open ok from the inside handle (unlike the older ones that constantly broke), and now seems to work ok from the outside, too. I didn't really do anything except put the panel back in place, although a bit higher than it should normally sit (I think).

I tried the lock from the outside and it works both ways with the remote. I didn't try the key. Is there a possibility the panel clamps were binding or holding the rod from moving toward the latch??? Or, do i have a clip that had cracked and is now barely holding on again?

The rod you are moving, is it the one that atttatches between the lock cylinder and the latch assy? Or is it the one from the slide cover to the latch? If its the latter, then it's possible the rod is/was just bound up. Check along that rod to the latch for any guides that may be broken or mispositioned. (sorry I missed that you stated that it is the horizontal rod, yeah, sometimes I get ahead of myself) Like I said, make sure all rod guides are where they are supposed to be and make sure the door panel is not putting pressure on the rod when you reinstall it.