How difficult to replace door locks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 109
From: B'ham Alabama
How difficult to replace door locks
How difficult is it to replace the door locks on '95 Corvette? I broke the key off in the drivers door. I need to replace them. Is this a difficult job?
Any step-by-step instructions?
This is the actual key cylinder in the door handle.
Any step-by-step instructions?
This is the actual key cylinder in the door handle.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
There's five fasteners, door lock rod retainer, outside handle rod retainer, theft switch retainer and then two threaded nuts. Theft switch can be removed after the handle is in your hand believe. I dd my '90 13 years ago so it's been a while.
If you have the FSM see 10-6-xx (xx=page) varies by year. Snapshots are difficult inside of the door but it might be wise to try some before starting.
Here's the vicinity that you're interested in.
**** It might be a very good excuse to buy an inexpensive USB Endoscope/Bore-scope to get some very good images. I might not buy this particular one (a friend has a bore-scope) BUT shop for similar. A VERY GOOD EXCUSE I'D THINK!!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Apr 27, 2016 at 09:08 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
An additional note. It is very easy to ruin door trim panels when trying to remove them. You will want to have information related to where all screws and retainers are, prior to oof.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 109
From: B'ham Alabama
Yes, I called a locksmith. When I discribed what happened, he told me over the phone that the tumblers inside the lock set had gone bad and would need replaced.
Here's what happened;
I went out to open my door as usual. I stuck the key and turned it clockwise, as usual. The door unlocked without effort. However, the key would not turn back to the original position and I couldn't remove it.
I jiggled it left and right & in and out. I sprayed penetrating oil on it. I worked it back and forth but the key would not budge. Out of desperation, I twisted it really hard and the key sheared off level with the latch.
When I described this to the locksmith, he just said the tumbler mechanism had gone bad.
Here's what happened;
I went out to open my door as usual. I stuck the key and turned it clockwise, as usual. The door unlocked without effort. However, the key would not turn back to the original position and I couldn't remove it.
I jiggled it left and right & in and out. I sprayed penetrating oil on it. I worked it back and forth but the key would not budge. Out of desperation, I twisted it really hard and the key sheared off level with the latch.
When I described this to the locksmith, he just said the tumbler mechanism had gone bad.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
I was ready to cut a hole to access the clips. Then the painter said why not mask of the handle instead.
Wise man.
It still took a coupla hours of cussing to get everything back in working order.
