[cmonref]

If you have too much play in the operating path from the handle to the release mechanism inside the door, then you need to find out what has become loose. If the operating rod did not fix it, then you gotta get a flashlight and mirror and do some serious looking inside the door.

If I recall, there is an idler inside the door, and the outer operating rod pulls on that. The idler, in turn, pulls on the lever at the door latch mechanism. If you can't tell what the problem is, you might have to pull the panel off of the other door and see how the two mechanisms differ.

You may find that some lever or idler somewhere has lost its bushing, creating slop in the pivot point. Or something on the latch mechanism is loose or bent or worn.

Doesn't look like someone is going to offer a magic solution to your problem. You may get all the way to taking the lock mechanism out and find something wierd inside it.