Topic: Locks that unlock...

[Jeffy]

Anyone else have issues with their locks?  I think I've found a solution.   It isn't perfect but it does allow the key to actually unlock the door.  More on this later...

[FourbangerYJ]

When I was running hard doors I did have a problem with the driver door not wanting to lock or unlock easily. I cleaned and lubed the lock and it worked much better.

[Jeffy]

When I was running hard doors I did have a problem with the driver door not wanting to lock or unlock easily. I cleaned and lubed the lock and it worked much better.

This is a problem with full doors only.  Cleaning then won't really work.  The Z bracket gets bent since there is too much movement between the bracket and the E-clip.  I made a plastic washer and it really firms it up.  The Z bracket doesn't rock anymore and pulls in both direction with no slop.  The only problem is the key won't recenter in the up right position till it wears a little.

This has been an issue for years.  Especially in the winter.  When it gets cold the links stiffen up even with no grease and the Z bracket bends because of the slop at the E-clip.  I've been locked out of my Jeep on several occasions where I couldn't open anything but the rear and had to climb in through the back.   

I'm going to have to wait a few days to see how it holds up, but I think it will be fine.  I have picts of what I did shortly.

[Tsd]

Anyone else have issues with their locks?  I think I've found a solution.   It isn't perfect but it does allow the key to actually unlock the door.  More on this later...

My passenger door is busted, the key doesn't work. Do you think your solution could apply to a TJ door?

[Jeffy]

My passenger door is busted, the key doesn't work. Do you think your solution could apply to a TJ door?

Most likely, yes.  The Z bracket is really way too long and your twisting it at the base and 2" up the rod is supposed to be pulled.  Since it can rock, the lever gets bent which won't move the lever enough to unlock the door.

[Tsd]

Most likely, yes.  The Z bracket is really way too long and your twisting it at the base and 2" up the rod is supposed to be pulled.  Since it can rock, the lever gets bent which won't move the lever enough to unlock the door.

Hope it works, I want to be a gentleman and open the door to my girlfriend again 

[chardrc]

the locks on my yj are is poor shape... the passenger door and tailgate swing door wont turn using the key... and the drivers door started getting progressively harder to lock and unlock until i took the inner panel off and sprayed it with wd40 now it works like new... now if i could get the other 2 to work..

[lanulos89]

i had that issue on my yj all i did was squrit some wd 40 on the whole mechanism and never had an issue.  had to do it once a year tho 

[Jeffy]

Ok, here's what I did;  got some scrap plastic that I had laying around and trimmed it into a square.  Then took a drill that was about the same diameter as the area on the lock cylinder.  I guess I'll make a formal write-up later.

[FourbangerYJ]

That would be a great simple fix if it will work.

Wish I had a drill press.

[oldjeep]

That would be a great simple fix if it will work.

Wish I had a drill press.

Why would you need a drill press?

Take the big piece of plastic - drill a hole and then cut it down to size.  Talk about doing it the hard way. 

[FourbangerYJ]

Why would you need a drill press?

Take the big piece of plastic - drill a hole and then cut it down to size.  Talk about doing it the hard way. 

  Why didn't I think of that... I guess I don't need a drill press. I don't have room in the garage for one anyway.

[neale_rs]

Interesting.  Mine also had some problems but it was something else and involved putting some zip ties on some plastic parts to keep the rod from coming off.  Now I'm wondering if the problems are related in some way.

[Jeffy]

That would be a great simple fix if it will work.

Wish I had a drill press.

I held the drill bit in my hand.  It takes a few passes since the drill will screw in instead of cutting a perfectly round hole.

[oldjeep]

I held the drill bit in my hand.  It takes a few passes since the drill will screw in instead of cutting a perfectly round hole.

When you drill stuff like that, just put a paint stir stick on top of it and drill through the stick and the plastic.  It's the easiest way to drill any sort of thin material.