BTW Parmgeddon DONT RIP OUT THE DOOR PANEL!!!!!!
Just remove the cover plate to the interior latch handle. There is a small plastic dot covering the screw... pop that out, gently remove the cover plate and you are in to the lever mechanism.. that is where we are now. then I guess we have to "manhandle" the mechenism and bust it out of the way. then all you have to replace is that lever box.
let me know how far you are, we're taking a short break from the 90+ heat today...