1979 outside door handle
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Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 72
Likes: 22
From: Greeley, CO
My 81 was like that on both doors when I got it. Didn't have door keys either. I took both door cards off and cleaned the latching and locking mechanisms with brake clean first then lubed all of the moving parts and installed new lock cylinders. Now the work with just one finger.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8,986
Likes: 4,143
From: US-PNW
I just cleaned both latch/lock mechanisms on my '72 a few weeks back. The old grease was so stiff and caked in there I ended up removing them completely and soaking in mineral spirits for an hour or so. Then had to use wire brushes to work it all out. (Harbor Freight has cheap brush packs that is very good for this sort of thing.) I regreased with chassis grease using an acid brush to work the grease into the joints.
Like all things C3, there's not a lot of room to get in there, but if you remove the latch mechanism, consider removing the handle and greasing the pivot shaft.
Like all things C3, there's not a lot of room to get in there, but if you remove the latch mechanism, consider removing the handle and greasing the pivot shaft.
