Abacus
That helpful B4 guy
I have had some interest from people about how I re-key the door lock. I typically find door handles at the junkyard cheap, and since they are NLA (no longer available) from the dealer, I suspect more people will be finding them from junkyards. This same procedure is used to clean the tumblers
It is much easier with the key, but it can be done without the key as well, you just run the risk of tearing the protective switch cover on the door handle and messing up the lock tumblers. It is better if you have the key.
To start, remove the door handle from the door. It can be done with the door handle in place on the door, but it’s easier to clean with it removed.
On the inside of the door handle is a “C” latch that is held on with an E-clip. Pop the E-clip off and remove the C latch. It is actually 2 pieces with a spring in the middle but will come off as one piece. It’s not an issue to separate the pieces since they’re easy to reassemble later.
Starting with this (click on all pictures to enlarge):
And then with the C-latch removed:
Insert the key and rotate the lockset 180° in either direction, then push on the back of the lockset and the assembly will come out towards the key.
With the assembly out, remove the key and the tumblers will go back to their neutral position. I like to do this on a clean paper towel so I can line up the tumblers in the same order, so it’ll be easier to put them back in (if I’m just cleaning them) but the order won’t matter if you’re re-keying the lock. These were pretty grungy and they didn't like to move, so it needed a good cleaning and readjustment.
Remove the tumblers one at a time, they are not held in with anything and come right out.
There is also a tiny spring on one side that causes them to pop up when the key is not inserted, remove it as well.
Clean everything well so it’ll move easier. I didn’t bother to clean the parts with my ultrasonic cleaner since I wanted to show that anyone can do this with no special tools, so I used some hot water with dish soap in an old coffee container and it worked great.
On the inside of the door handle, take special care around the microswitch on the door or you’ll tear the silicone cover to it, which will let water in, causing corrosion and malfunctions. I used a battery brush to clean the inside but did not go so far as to touch the microswitch.
Here you can see the microswitch, which is non-removable.
(Continue to part II)
It is much easier with the key, but it can be done without the key as well, you just run the risk of tearing the protective switch cover on the door handle and messing up the lock tumblers. It is better if you have the key.
To start, remove the door handle from the door. It can be done with the door handle in place on the door, but it’s easier to clean with it removed.
On the inside of the door handle is a “C” latch that is held on with an E-clip. Pop the E-clip off and remove the C latch. It is actually 2 pieces with a spring in the middle but will come off as one piece. It’s not an issue to separate the pieces since they’re easy to reassemble later.
Starting with this (click on all pictures to enlarge):
And then with the C-latch removed:
Insert the key and rotate the lockset 180° in either direction, then push on the back of the lockset and the assembly will come out towards the key.
With the assembly out, remove the key and the tumblers will go back to their neutral position. I like to do this on a clean paper towel so I can line up the tumblers in the same order, so it’ll be easier to put them back in (if I’m just cleaning them) but the order won’t matter if you’re re-keying the lock. These were pretty grungy and they didn't like to move, so it needed a good cleaning and readjustment.
Remove the tumblers one at a time, they are not held in with anything and come right out.
There is also a tiny spring on one side that causes them to pop up when the key is not inserted, remove it as well.
Clean everything well so it’ll move easier. I didn’t bother to clean the parts with my ultrasonic cleaner since I wanted to show that anyone can do this with no special tools, so I used some hot water with dish soap in an old coffee container and it worked great.
On the inside of the door handle, take special care around the microswitch on the door or you’ll tear the silicone cover to it, which will let water in, causing corrosion and malfunctions. I used a battery brush to clean the inside but did not go so far as to touch the microswitch.
Here you can see the microswitch, which is non-removable.
(Continue to part II)
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