Help with Driver's Seat Recliner Lever Issue

First I would like to say hi to everyone, very sweet looking site!
 
My father has an '00 Chevy S-10 Ext Cab 4x4 auto, 70k mi., with a front bench seat.  He told me today that "the lever area broke on the diver's side that controls the reclining/move foward function."  I assume this means that the lever broke.  After doing some searching I cam across this website that sells a replacement lever and it appears that it is a common problem.  My question, is this true?  Also from his description, I am not sure if just the handle broke, or the actual rod that comes out broke.  I am going to try to get him to send me pics so I can have a better idea.
 
I have been kind of a shady tree mechanic for a while, but I am far from being a chevy expert, especially interior.  So any help would be greatly appreciated.

My dad sent me a pic today of his seat.  It looks like it completly sheered off.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/scrapiron-scavanger/s-10seat.jpg

Is there a replacement part sold at parts stores?  Dealer Only Item?  Is the replacement part offered by that online dealer enough to fix this?

Thank you for your time and help.

my girl friend did that same thing on my 2000 S-10, i just took a small vise grip and clamped it on there...  works fine! and yes it is a common problem...its just a small aluminum bar, and if you pull on it to hard, it just snaps off

Mine's broke on both seats ('00 Xtreme ext bab.).
Also, on my bros older '99 Xtreme he broke his off to.
So, I guess its a common problem, im trying to find some Blazer Leather Seats so I wont have to worry bout it.

I have a 99 that did the same thing. The aluminum rod sheared off. I tried to get parts from the dealer and they told me i had to buy a whole new assembly for like 300$, and parts stores dont have them, so i just use a flat screwdriver to adjust it, plus it keeps people from messing with my seat adjustment. The dealer also mentioned that the replacement parts have been upgraded to fix the problem, but it was not recalled because there was no safety issue.