Witchboard Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 Looks like I have worn door locks. I've already tried using a larger clip and that fixed the passenger door, but the drivers door is still too sloppy. I can see where it's worn on the cylinder and it just lets the actuator flop around too much. Anybody got any suggestions? This looks cast so I don't think I could weld on it to build it back up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 I have the same problem. Please post if you come up with a fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witchboard Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 Of course! Have you already tried the larger clips? I went to Ace Hardware and picked up a couple with a thicker diameter wire than the original. Fixed the passenger side, but no dice on the driver's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 2 hours ago, Witchboard said: Of course! Have you already tried the larger clips? I went to Ace Hardware and picked up a couple with a thicker diameter wire than the original. Fixed the passenger side, but no dice on the driver's. The shaft on my driver's side lock is warn down too far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witchboard Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 I think since it looks cast and thus can't be welded, I'm going to try drilling it with a pin bit and inserting some pins and see how that works. If it's trash, pretty much can't make it any worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolman Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 The picture is not that clear. Can you take more at different angles? The center section is cast and can not be welded. The other possible fix is to braze the lever (stamped steel) to close the gap and file to fit. Filing will take awhile so do not braze more than necessary. This will work as long as the cast side can take the turning torque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witchboard Posted November 7, 2020 Author Share Posted November 7, 2020 Sure thing. Here's another angle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhm Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 ClassicZCars is always a good resource for these types of OEM restoration/rebuild issues. Found a couple threads that may help. One guy swapped his passenger and driver lock barrels; others had suggested repairs depending on the specific issue. I'm sure there are other discussions on that forum regarding this topic since it's such a common problem for these old cars. https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/56706-possible-fix-for-worn-out-door-locks/ https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/35066-78-280z-door-locks-worn-out/ Looks like ZCarDepot offers replacement locks; may be other vendors out there as well, like MSA, etc. Sometimes these new lock barrels can be rekeyed to match your existing key, or you can just live with FOL of having to add a new key to your keyring. What year is your car? https://zcardepot.com/products/door-lock-cylinder-set-with-keys-77-78-280z?_pos=3&_sid=9e230f569&_ss=r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witchboard Posted November 7, 2020 Author Share Posted November 7, 2020 That coat hanger trick looks good. I was planning on drilling and pinning, but that looks simpler and will give that a shot. If I mess it up, I can always fall back to plan B, buying replacement locks. Thanks for the links! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seattlejester Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 If it is what I think it is, I think the first time my fix was to fill in the hole with jb weld, let it set, then file it down to size. I think devcon steel putty would probably be better since JB still has a bit of flex. In the end the key was just super loose and I couldn't get it rekeyed so I picked up some aftermarket assemblies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witchboard Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 I did the coat hanger trick and it worked a treat. It will last me long enough until I can get around to getting new locks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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