HVAC door fell off

[NorCalgm]

Hi guys. 97 k1500. Air coming out of defrost while bottom or dash is selected. I’ve seen the threads on HVAC, but everything seems to discuss the actuators. Actuator for air direction works. The rod holding the door to close off defrost fell of on passenger side. Been messing with it just through the bottom vent with no luck. Anyway to fix this without pulling air box? Thanks in advance!

 

[NorCalgm]

Update…pulled the access panel to the heater core and that allowed me a better look. I’ve been able to get the door rod back in once, but it fell out again. No more time today to mess with it. If ya got any tips, I’d appreciate it!

 

[NorCalgm]

Got the pin back in. Seems to be holding well. In all the effort to get it done, knocked a bunch of the deteriorating rubber gasket from the edge of the bottom door. So I’m losing a little air out of the bottom, but situation is vastly improved.