mx5cartalk.com

Hi Guys,

Since I bought my 5 I have had the problem that the drivers door lock is missing the little flap (or it is permanently retracted, I haven't examined it).


When I turn the key I:

1. Am scared of snapping the key
2. Get a vibration through my hand reminiscent of running fingernails down a blackboard

Has anyone else come across this and has a suggestion? With house locks I have found a puff of graphite powder works wonders, but I'm not sure with this - especially if someone has previously oiled it (which could mean I'll gunk the whole thing up?)

The passenger side is the buttery click I'm sure everyone else knows and loves.

Any suggestions?

Cheers.

ps how's that for a camera-phone? There's crap on my car I didn't know was there...

Sorry I don't have ANY experience with NA locks.

I think the graphite powder would be the way to go.

Does anyone else know if you can swap the key barrels from passanger side to drivers side like you can on almost every other car?

(normally you have to undo a cerclip and swap the lever mechanism across once both barrels are out)

Thanks Okibi, I never actually considered swapping them over...

Other advice appreciated, and I might try the graphite first. Thanks again.

THere is a tiny little spring that holds the barrel dust flap in the closed position, so essentially your dust flap is permanently retracted - the changes of graphite working are very slim - unless it can join a broken spring back together...

I had this issue with the drivers door and the boot lock - if you are handy (like yours truely) and can pull out the lock barrels it is quite an easy fix.

The lock barrel has a big cap on it that you can carefully twist off (like a bottle of beer) even though it is very slightly cripmed on. THis cap essentially gives the bice black (or chrome) finish to the key entry point on the barrel and also retains the dust flap and dust flap spring.

Be patient - pull the barrell caps off and then take the pieces to a local lock smith and say you want the spring that holds the dust flap closed - from memeory it is a very common part - I think mine just happend to be in the drawer for early holden lock bits.

Just make sure you get all of the bronken spring pieces out of the lock tumblers or the lock will lock (hmm perhaps should have said Jam here) and then you will have issues.

Have fun - but be paitient