Door Latch Removal

[defdes]

1965 FFPW, I am trying to remove the latching piece inside the door (the spring loaded part with 4 screws that latches to the striker plate when closed).
Does the arm need to be removed from this prior to pulling it out around the window slides? I am having a bugger of a time.
I thought I could disconnect the door handle attachments and take the whole thing out as one unit but I have been denied so far.

[Matthew Welcher PWA]

If you remove the arm from the triangular shaped door remote, remove those four screws and the exterior door handle that hold the latch to the door frame, Push that tooth up on the latch and push the unit into the door.
Now comes the "Hold your tongue right" As you wiggle the assembly down slightly change the angle and rotate the unit upwards as you work it down. You will eventually find the sweet spot where it comes out.

Hopes this helps a little.

[defdes]

And where the arm connect to the mechanism, is it just a friction fit pin to push out?

[Matthew Welcher PWA]

I remove the arm from the remote and remove the latch assembly with the arm on it.

[defdes]

Got it, that disconnection miraculously happened on it's own while futzing, I was just getting a closer look at the arm connection on the lock side and realized I couldn't get that apart as it has a factory "star" style rivet end. So let the snaking begin! Thanks for the help.

*EDIT: No luck as darkness fell, I feel like I have turned it 9 ways to Sunday and still haven't found the key.

[defdes]

I ended up loosening up the window hardware which enabled me to fish the arm through the slot and up past the door glass. Only then was I able to attain the angle necessary to turn the latch box and fish it out.
Anyway, I drilled open the latch box and as I thought the door catch spring was broken. No one on ebay seems top have the correct one, anybody here with spare parts door latches (or a door latch) who wants to sell a spring?

[defdes]

Not wanting to spend $15-$20 for a door spring and being a general sucker for punishment, I decided to make my own. I drew it out of a piece of 1/8" round rod on my anvil and wrapped it around a piece of 3/8" round stock to make the coil (I initially used 1/2" round sock but it made the spring a bit too big and I couldn't close the 2 pieces of the lock box without interference).

After a few hours of assembly/disassembly I got it all to work, I plug welded the 2 halves together on the bolt that the latch pivots on and did a little tig stitch welding along the side seam. To my surprisement, the whole assembly slipped back into the door with no trouble which after spending 2+ hours trying to get it out was a real treat.