So my 1997 lx civic is all good except one passenger side door wont open from the outside. When I took it apart I noticed an entire metal rod missing that would let the outside door handle open up the door, does anybody know what that part is called, where I could order it, or even any information on the inside of civic doors at all?

 

It is a latch rod. Go to a wrecking yard & pick one out of a donor car. I'm not sure what other years are the same but the yard should be able to tell you.

 

did you buy the car with the thing missing or did it fall off?