As mentioned in my first post, I did get out the pin. It was under the rubber ring and a small coating of greasy grime, but despite my hopes at the time it seems to have no effect on taking the lock out. Both manuals (vintage Volvo and Haynes both say I need the key now to get the cylinder or lock plunger out). Quoting from the manual under "Dismantling the door handle"

"3. Turn the key backwards and forwards a few times in the press button at the same time as pulling outwards, when the lock plunger willl release and can be pulled out as shown in Fig. 17."

So I was wondering if anyone had actually done this w/out a key?

thanks though,

Holly