Door Lock Rebuild - Do not be afraid

[marshallnoise]

I ordered one of the $30 kits to rebuild my driver's side door lock and it really isn't so much of a rebuild kit, but a brand new door lock that needs tumblers arranged in the correct order.

Many thanks to Bill and his website: http://www.billswebspace.com/BMWE30D...derRebuild.htm

I do not know him at all, but his guidance reassured me that I wouldn't fook it up. :D

Easy as pie. Do not be afraid to do this.

Oh, and it turns out, mine had been replaced with the updated roller. But the arm that does the locking was cracked to the point that when I disassembled it, it just fell into two pieces.

[spdracrm3]

yup actually kinda fun and very satisfying to have an nice smooth new lock when done,,,

[marshallnoise]

I haven't installed it back in the car yet, but I had the old one in and out a couple of times and know how the action works. I am sure it will work great.

Next step is remounting the microswitch to the bracket somehow and see what the state of my central locking system is in...

[jaywood]

My driver door unlocks smoothly, but the key will get stuck when locking. Do I need this rebuild kit?

[marshallnoise]

My driver door unlocks smoothly, but the key will get stuck when locking. Do I need this rebuild kit?

Well, it is either the lock itself or the lock mechanism. Either way, you are going to have to pull the door panel off to get the area to repair one or both. While you are in there, might as well rebuild it. So cheap and satisfying.

[Cletonius]

I need to do this. Thanks for the link. :)

[spdracrm3]

Well, it is either the lock itself or the lock mechanism. Either way, you are going to have to pull the door panel off to get the area to repair one or both. While you are in there, might as well rebuild it. So cheap and satisfying.

also can be a badly worn key , how does key work in other locks?

[Dakotademon7]

Thanks for posting link. This is on my to do list.

[AndrewBird]

Improper lubrication can cause all kinds of problems as well. The wafers in the lock need to be able to move freely and get gummed up very easily. A light oil like 3-in-1 or Tri-flow works very well. Also keeps moisture out and your locks from freezing up in cold temps.

[smooth]

Use something like graphite to lubricate locks instead of oil or it will attract dirt and grime


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[AndrewBird]

Use something like graphite to lubricate locks instead of oil or it will attract dirt and grime

No. While this is the common thought, graphite will only gunk the locks up even more and attract moisture. This is what a long time and very knowledgeable locksmith has told me.

Dust can't really get into locks, they are pretty sealed up, but the moisture in the air can, so dust isn't really a concern.

[Matt-B]

Yea, you would generally use graphite to lubricate like a front door lock, that has an exposed keyhole

[dhd1]

Never use oil to lubricate locks. Graphite powder only.

[AndrewBird]

Like I said, I am repeating directly what an experienced locksmith told me. Been following his advice for years with no problems.

[smooth]

the reason your locks are getting "gummed up" is because you've been following that advice "for years." There isn't any reason to continually lubricate car door locks. Jaywood said his lock works fine but seems to stick occasionally. Telling him to rip his door and lock apart and oil everything up is not going to resolve the issue. Putting a trace amount of graphite on his key *may* alleviate the stickiness he's feeling and it certainly won't cause dirt or grime issues...unless he takes the assembly apart and rolls everything around in it like a shake n bake! If it doesn't resolve he needs to replace whichever mechanism is broken. I'm not an experienced locksmith but I am experienced with putting my key in my lock every time I get in and out of my car and that stickiness he's describing probably doesn't even have anything to do with something lubrication can address. Depending on what kind of "stickiness" he's experiencing it's a worn key, worn mechanism, or worn spring.