Anyone had to replace the rear hatch latch? 97+

I was adjusting all the linkage back there, and got everything good to go......then the latch wouldn't activate.

I took the latch mechanism off and looked at it, the threaded rod no longer moves the latch at all. It's almost as if a spring inside is broken.

Well i priced a new latch, $80....

Any comments or suggestions? i thought about a junk yard but i would just rather have a new part.....