The .pdf doesn't have instructions to cut the gasket anywhere that I read. I did a word search on "cut" and didn't find anything, in case I wasn't reading carefully enough.
I'm having trouble seeing where the modified "cutting" procedure departs from the .pdf procedure.
In the old thread, it said "The difference between doing the replacement with the cut, and proper replacement, is: the "cut" only requires removing one bolt, the one holding the door handle in place. The "proper" replacement requires doing that, plus removing the door handle electrical connector and the two mechanical links so the the handle can be completely separated from the car.
If you are not disconnecting anything from the door handle (and cutting the gasket so you can pass it around wires/rods) do you still have to take the door panel off?
I'm not trying to be dense, I just like to know exactly what I'm getting myself into before I start. I fear putting my car out of commission because I disassembled the door and can't get it back together.
If it's possible to just unscrew the 5mm screw, pull the handle away from the door, put the gasket around the rods, and put the handle back, I'd just as soon skip all the door panel disassembly. Maybe that's just wishful thinking.
