Lady72nRob71

Here's another example of my dumb luck.
I had the trunk lock and latch out so I could replace the latch. Simple job, eh?
Reassemble it all, no problem. The latch was in the latched position so i had to unlock it so I could close the trunk. Then I found that the lock is stuck, as if the wrong key was being used. All i did to the lock was put some graphite lube powder in it. The key IS right, as it still locks the glove box.

Can the cylinder be disassembled, or even soaked in carb cleaner? Maybe too much graphite went in. Or maybe it did not like when I hammered in the retainer.
I do not want to replace it and have even more keys for the car.

I am just lucky that I did not latch the trunk, then find out it won't unlock!
Any ideas or suggestions?

frankr442

A trunk cylinder can't be disassembled without turning it with the key. Perhaps when you hammered it the tumbler retainer loosened and popped up, which would keep the cylinder from turning.

Rickman48

Rinse it out with WD-40 - 'the locksmiths friend'!
My F-I-L was a locksmith, bought it by the gallon!!

Allan R

Seeing as how you've tried the logical approach and got it all analyzed about what might have gone wrong, there is one other thing you can do.
Take it to a locksmith for a professional opinion whether it can be fixed. I know how much pride you put into your work on Lady, and I know your engineering brain wants to figure this out yourself....but how long do you want to be running around with that open hole in the trunk deck?

Lady72nRob71

Well, I can see his reasoning, cause thats the stuff that unstuck mine!
This evening I washed out as much black crap as I could until my WD40 can lost its pressure. I once had a can of that stuff I used from 1988 to 2008. This one only lasted 4 years!

I was trying to listen to some 'other' advice of "never use WD40 in locks - use graphite powder only."
PHOOEY on powder. I had always used WD40 in the past and will continue to do so.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Allan R

So does that mean it's working again?

Lady72nRob71

Yep, its working again.
I need to get some more WD40 so i can finish cleaning it out.
Its been raining all day, so I aint going out in it. It can wait till next week.
Been doing some other work in the garage instead. I like when I accomplish stuff!

hamm36

I would have used 3-n-1 oil, WD attracts dust, but at least it is working.