99 Solara remove rear driver side wall panel

99 Solara SLE- Need info on removing the rear driver side wall panel without breaking plastic or metal clips. I need to get at the inside mounting bracket/plate for the door latch bar that is mounted on the post. Not sure of the proper terminology, but it holds the door closed. Reason: the mounting bolts came loose and the door was not closing tightly, so I thought I would put some lock-tite on the threads. What I did not know was that the inside mounting plate was not welded in place on the post. I removed the top one first (I know – stupid move) and the plate fell/rotated to the bottom of the bottom bolt. I tried a coat hanger wire in hopes of grabbing and rotating the bracket – no luck.

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thank you

The piece you're referring to is known as the door latch striker. The paneling comes down if you use a flat head screwdriver, and gently pry the whole way around the paneling.