Eschmalacker

I recently purchased a 2011 Suburban and was in the process of removing the 3rd row. This is a 60/40 split, and the 40 came out nice and easy. The issue is with the 60. As I pull up on the lever labeled 1, it is not catching whatever it needs to catch and will not allow the seat to fold down. My question is to anyone out there, how can I fix this? Is there a way to remove this seat without pulling up on that lever? If not, how do I get in there to work on it? The lever is right up against side wall and almost impossible to get at.