Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on

[GMC"ER]

Hello I am kinda new to the board and have not had many posts but now I am trying to put my door and window handles back on and can't get them to work. I have bought reproduction window cranks and using my original door handles, I also bought new escutcheons when I put these on and put my handles on I can not get behind the handle to slide retaining clip on? I have a 69 GMC with metal door panels. I put the escutcheons on the panel from outside in with the large side between door panel and handles I would assume this is the way they go but I could be wrong? I also bought the tool the takes them off but again it is too tight to get anything between the handle and the panel? What am I doing wrong? Thanks the newbie Robert.