Sticky Locks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Sticky Locks
I replaced my door lock cylinders recently. I still have the passenger door apart, and I'm having problems with the lock mechanism binding. I cant get it to unlock easily. (I've never used the locks since the frame off... lost the keys somewhere in those 10 years. 
)
How do I properly lubricate the locks? Could there be something else binding and preventing the lock from disengaging?
Thanks
)How do I properly lubricate the locks? Could there be something else binding and preventing the lock from disengaging?
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Molybedinim drylube is a very good lube for those. Graphyte lube is good too. You want a dry lube in there, make sure the lock cylinders work well before attaching to the door latch.
Then clean and lube the door latch itself with white lithium grease
Then clean and lube the door latch itself with white lithium grease
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
Maybe the latch assembly needs to be cleaned and re-greased? The passenger side seems to gum up more than the driver's side from lack of use. I cleaned mine with brake clean and then used white lithium grease (the brush-on type) to re-grease it. Everything now work nice and smooth. You'd be surprised how much crud builds up in them over the years.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
I took the mechanism out and blasted it with Corrosion X. If you don't have that, use WD40. Your first goal is to clean it with the oil since like dissolves like. Then, I used Silicone Grease (Lithium Grease should be just as good) on every moving part in the door (only after blasting it with oil).
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Lock cylinders are brand new and work nicely, so no graphite powder is needed there... Its the lock mechanism.
Sounds like I need to pull it, clean, then re-grease the mechanism. What a PITA... Do I have to remove the door glass to do this?
Sounds like I need to pull it, clean, then re-grease the mechanism. What a PITA... Do I have to remove the door glass to do this?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
I boiled mine with some Dawn detergent ... then went at it spraying
with WD40 ... then regreased. Be prepared for some broken
countersunk star washers under the (3) mounting screws.
http://webpages.charter.net/davekimt...r_latch_01.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/davekimt...r_latch_02.jpg
I'm sure you'll figure it out quickly ... but if you need more pics, let me know.
I have passenger door fully gutted ... drivers is together with no door panel.
with WD40 ... then regreased. Be prepared for some broken
countersunk star washers under the (3) mounting screws.
http://webpages.charter.net/davekimt...r_latch_01.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/davekimt...r_latch_02.jpg
I'm sure you'll figure it out quickly ... but if you need more pics, let me know.
I have passenger door fully gutted ... drivers is together with no door panel.
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
Get a flashlight and look at the cylinder turn as you try to lock and unlock it. i thought that i had a broken locking mechanism in my latch, but it turned out that the lock pawls were hitting the door handle rod. you know the one that connects the handle to the latch. i just had to give it a half turn and it cleared. might be that simple might not, but it beats taking everything out again. i did that three times...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,990
From: Connecticut, USA
Joe,
This is not a bad job. Remove the 3 screws in the end of the door after the rods are disconnected. There is a sliding clip on the latch arm that adjusts the throw on the outside handle. Spray it down with brake cleaner and blow it out dry, the lube and adjust.
Adjust it with the door open and a screw driver to latch it. Do not shut the door until you are sure the latch is set.
This is not a bad job. Remove the 3 screws in the end of the door after the rods are disconnected. There is a sliding clip on the latch arm that adjusts the throw on the outside handle. Spray it down with brake cleaner and blow it out dry, the lube and adjust.
Adjust it with the door open and a screw driver to latch it. Do not shut the door until you are sure the latch is set.
