Chevy & GMC Vans

So the day I picked up the van, I stop at a lumber yard to pick up some material for a job. When I went to open the drivers side rear door I hear a "snap--toing". Needless to say it wouldn't open.

So I get it open by removing the speaker cover, panel and pulling the rods.

This is what I found.....



It looks like something sheared off, so the rod assembly won't stay put. Am I correct? Or was there a nut or something I can replace? No nut was found in the bottom of the door. Just the spring and a washer.
I placed the spring where it is for the pic.

Here's my door now, for the time being.




It was pretty easy getting the panel out with the door closed. A few screws on the bottom, a couple on the sides, that I could reach. Popped off the speaker cover, and the panel just kinda slid right out. It wanted to keep catching on the speaker, but I got it.

If I do need a new handle, is eBay a good source?

what year is it? and can i take that little panel out on my 1992 astro my rear door handle did the same thing and i tryed the going through the speaker hole to reach the rods.

Its a 2000. I keep meaning to put that in my sig..
Does yours have the panels on the inside of the outer plastic door trim? If so, I would think you could.
I first took the speaker covers off, thinking I could just go through there, but the heads of the bolts are rivets. So I had to figure out a different way.

i bought my replacement handle from ebay and have had no issues....its just like the stock one except it isnt broken..lol