Door Locks
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 7,765
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I would start with, Lube everything. Pull the door panel, Lots of instructions on here how to do that including a thread I ran awhile ago about door hinge bushing replacement.
Once door panel is off you can see all the rods and linkages. lube up everything that moves including the inside lock mechanism and the outer key switch.
Then see how well everything moves. If not well then. Look for what is binding and repair as nessesary.
Once door panel is off you can see all the rods and linkages. lube up everything that moves including the inside lock mechanism and the outer key switch.
Then see how well everything moves. If not well then. Look for what is binding and repair as nessesary.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,559
Likes: 7,006
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Rookie guess: 4Vettes has a good method.
Also... WD40 would clean the key-mechanism...
insert the straw into the key lock...
squirt is some WD a few times....
try the key to lock-unlock...
flush the key lock again a few times to loosen-wash out grime....
try to lock-unlock with the key again.
WD40 isn't a good lube but it does a good job cleaning out the lock springs/pins/cylinder.
Let us know the results.
Also... WD40 would clean the key-mechanism...
insert the straw into the key lock...
squirt is some WD a few times....
try the key to lock-unlock...
flush the key lock again a few times to loosen-wash out grime....
try to lock-unlock with the key again.
WD40 isn't a good lube but it does a good job cleaning out the lock springs/pins/cylinder.
Let us know the results.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,687
Likes: 833
From: WI
Besides lubing all the latches (re-lube the window tracks while you're into the doors). The latches get SO caked up with dust and the grease get's hard over the years. If your have never been degreased and re-greased, it would be a good idea to do so. But it's a lot of work to get them out too. Spraying with a penetrating fluid can help loosen them up a little.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 731
From: Youngstown Ohio
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,687
Likes: 833
From: WI
White lithium grease will work good for the linkages, but probably won't 'penetrate' into the deeper inner mechanisms of the latch where you have sliding and moving parts. You can try, if it doesn't do much, hit them with some WD40 or any penetrating fluid. The best would be to remove and soak the latches in like diesel or gasoline or a non-caustic parts cleaner, and brush all the old grease and dirt off. Then re-grease (then white lithium would be a good idea). But if the lock lever works better after just greasing or WD40-ing ...then you bought yourself a little time 
Look carefully at the latch too from the outside. Look at the part where it closes to see if the post has worn down part of the latch (real common).
Look carefully at the latch too from the outside. Look at the part where it closes to see if the post has worn down part of the latch (real common).
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 7,765
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
White lithium grease is what I use on rod ends and such.
A good speay lubricant with Teflon in it or simular for locks and latches. WD 40 is little more than Kerosene in a can. It can help to free things and clean things. But drys away quickly and would be of no long term use.
A good speay lubricant with Teflon in it or simular for locks and latches. WD 40 is little more than Kerosene in a can. It can help to free things and clean things. But drys away quickly and would be of no long term use.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
I would start with, Lube everything. Pull the door panel, Lots of instructions on here how to do that including a thread I ran awhile ago about door hinge bushing replacement.
Once door panel is off you can see all the rods and linkages. lube up everything that moves including the inside lock mechanism and the outer key switch.
Then see how well everything moves. If not well then. Look for what is binding and repair as nessesary.
Once door panel is off you can see all the rods and linkages. lube up everything that moves including the inside lock mechanism and the outer key switch.
Then see how well everything moves. If not well then. Look for what is binding and repair as nessesary.
This article includes some illustrations of what's inside once you pull a door panel.
http://www.hunt4cleanair.net/Article...lockrepair.pdf