Rear hatch stuck shut

99 Burb with rear hatch stuck shut. I've scanned the posts with folks having door problems...can the rear hatch inside panel be removed with it stuck shut? (Seems like other folks with lock problems have the barn doors in the rear.) The upper glass will open fine--it's just the door below with problems.

Got the panel off by unscrewing top screws, pulling back the panel, messing with the interior of the locking mechansim enough to unlock the door and finish taking off the panel. Now just waiting for the part to come in....just hope it's the right one. The rod won't stay in the hole to keep the locking mechanism engaged.