Door Mechanism - But can't remove panel - HELP!

[chiefcorey]

I have a problem with my drivers door mechanism. I bought it with this problem privately thinking it would just needa new assembly and I'd be on my way..

Anyways, I went to take off the panel, and the hex bolt that is in the handle (that you use to pull the door shut), is stripped. And I don't mean that the head is stripped, you can still put a hex screwdriver in it and turn it, but when you turn it, it just turns in one place forever.

I tried using needle nose pliers to pull and turn, but that didn't work as it still just turning and not coming out.

My mechanic doesn't want to try it because he thinks he'll bust the panel and that's a bunch of money.

Does anyone have experience with this and have any ideas on how to get this bolt out so that I can get the panel off so I can deal with the REAL issue.

Thanks