-- [ From: Ned Worcester * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --
To get any WD40 or oil and dirt out, there are several different degreaser
sprays. Radio Shack and other electronics store have them. Put a straw in
the nozzle, like you do w/ WD40 and the degreaser can be sprayed right into
the lock cylinder. Wait a while for it to dry, or use canned or compressed
air, then use a recommend lock lube, such as graphite.
I don't use graphite on mine, I use a healthy dose of tri-flow or one of the
other good quality teflon lubes. The same quality I used on my shotgun
(Let's not start any "guns don't kill Dakotas, chevy drivers kill Dakotas"
debates here!). I keep enough in the lock that it never allows any water
and moisture to accumulate.
This has worked both in very cold snowy northern New England winters; and
rainy, with freezing when I go the the mountains, Pacific Northwest winters.
About once every 2-3 years, I take the inside door panel off and clean and
lube all of the lock, door latch, and window mechanisms. I also make sure
the weep or drain holes at the bottom of the door are open (if there are any
, not all vehicles have obvious ones). In almost 20 years of doing this on
all sorts of vehicles, including my various mobile junk yards through
college life, I have yet to have anything stick or bind.
Long posting, but I hope it helps.
Ned Worcester
'95 4x4 SLT CC
-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
Date: Thursday, 23-Oct-97 01:04 PM
From: a0020124@airmail.net \ Internet: (a0020124@airmail.net)
To: Dakota Mail List \ Internet: (dakota-truck@buffnet.net)
Subject: Re: DML: RE: Sticking Locks
At 11:27 PM 10/22/97 UT, you wrote:
I'm more irritated by the driver's side.
>I have to wiggle the key a bit to get it in the lock. Sometimes it's a
real
>pain and now all my keys have a slight bend in one spot.
Sounds like the inside of the lock (pins and springs) has gotten real dirty.
When that happens moisture from rain or even the humidity in the air can
cause the dirt to pack like mud inside the lock. The pins will then stick
when the key tries to push them out of the way making the key hard to insert
and making you have to jiggle it to get it in. This is why you should NEVER
spray WD-40 in a lock, it attracts dirt like a magnet. (I'm not saying you
sprayed WD-40 in your lock, any lock that is out in the elements will get
dirty over time, especially one used as much as the lock on a vehicle door.)
Unfortunately, I don't know of any way to fix it short of taking the lock
apart and cleaning it (probably not cost effective unless it gets unusable
or you can do it yourself (not recommended unless you know what you're doing
)). Once the lock gets so dirty that you are bending the key trying to get
it in you may as well spray it with something, after all it's to late to
worry about dirt at that point.
The best way to protect a clean or new lock is with powdered graphite. It
doesn't attract moisture and since it's dry, it won't attract dirt. You
should be able to find it at any hardware store, probably most auto parts
places, I think I've even seen it at Almost. The next best is a silicon
spray. I doesn't attract dirt and moisture like WD-40.
BTW -- a bent key is subject to breakage at any time. Having a spare (or two
) made is a lot cheaper than having to call a locksmith when one breaks off
in the lock.
-- Mike Crumley a0020124@airmail.net-------- REPLY, End of original message --------
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