When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am trying to install a trunk lock on my 1961 corvette. It did not have a lock when I got it. These are the parts I have but not sure how to go about installing. Any help would be appreciated.
I've heard that the reproduction clip (the big dark colored piece second from bottom in your photo) doesn't fit very well, and requires serious struggling to install it. You might spend some time seeing if it needs to be reshaped to fit more easily. It's a real pain to work on, since you can't really see what you're doing down inside there.
The bright colored clip (bottom part in your photo) is used on other cars, not Corvettes, but it's part of the replacement lock assembly. So you should be able to discard that part, so it won't confuse you
Here is some info provide by AZDoug way back when:
AZDoug
That was fun: Reinstall '61 trunk lock retainer clip Can't get your hands in behind the trunk latch support or get any leverage to get the retainer clip down over the lock cylinder, so,
I filed some little tiny radii on the trunk lock stubs the clip slid under,
Applied a little bit of grease to the clip where it slides under the lock.
Laid a 1" short socket up against the back panel on one side of the latch support,
Put a long heavy blade screw driver under the lock, from the other side of the latch support, with the blade resting on the socket, giving me leverage under the lock to keep it from trying to slide down with the clip,
And used a drum brake adjusting tool as a pry bar (the curve is just right), using the front of the latch support as the fulcrum and pushed the clip down behind the lock cylinder by pulling up on the brake tool, securing it. Pulling up on the screwdriver with your left hand, why prying the clip down, keeps the lock cylinder centered in the hole
I futzed with the clip for 10-15 minutes before I wised up and used the above procedure which took about 1 minute to get the clip fully seated.
Doug
DZVette Here is the thread in question. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...iner-clip.html I tried replacing that clip a while back also. Gave up and put the incorrect clip back in. Maybe this tip will get it done. Can you elaborate on those "radii" that you filed into the cylinder body??
Thanks AZDoug!
DZ
AZDoug
Look at the back of the clip and the cylinder lock. Slide the clip down over lock as if it were being installed in the car and notice the tabs that stick out the sides of the lock which the clip slides behind.
radius the sharp corners of the tabs on the lock housing so the clip can't catch there during install.
Doug
DZVette
Thanks! I'll give it a whirl.
DZ
VetteJohn
Fixed! Thanks for advice. Thanks to the advice from AZDoug I finally got the clip in place. I tried the brake adjusting tool but the one I had was too short. I went to Harbor Freight and brought a set of pry bars and the big one was prefect for the job.
Oh...order of assembly: The shaft hooks into the lock. The bezel fits onto the lock. The clip goes partway into place, slid "out" just a little. The lock and bezel and shaft are inserted through the hole in the trunk and the clip, and the shaft is aligned with the latch, and then the whole thing pushed into position. Then the clip is pushed the rest of the way onto the lock.
I think the little black gasket thing is not used on this application, and will only make things more difficult if you try to install it!
Trunk lock install
