Lock Cylinder Inside Door (Rod Dangling)

My lock is busted. I've had a busted driver side lock since I bought my 96 Z24 a few years ago but it was fixed when I reatached the rod (that was dangling) inside my door panel back to the key turn on the inside panel of my car (after I removed the panel to see the inside of my door - removing that plastic rain protector, etc).

That fixed it for a while but now it is broke again and I notice that THE OTHER end of the rod is now dangling - the one that attaches to the part that holds the door shut. So now it is attached to the the inside of the key hole's back just dangling. Is there anyway I can get that part re-attached to the part that holds the door shut? I try, but it literally seems like I am working blind and with absolutely no idea of where it is supposed to be stuck into.

This might wind me up at the dealer, but maybe someone on here has done this before???

Whoops....wrong forum; this belongs in the "problem diagnosis" forum.