Door lock cylinder; what's the secret to removing
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 692
Likes: 8
From: Roanoke, VA
Door lock cylinder; what's the secret to removing
Last weekend when the weather was warm I tore into the passenger side door on old Stanley to re-attach the inside door handle to the linkage. I wanted to remove everything in the door to inspect, grease, reassemble, and prepare for installation of the new door glass and rubber. I was only partially successful. I was unable to remove the door latch because the flat key from the door lock cylinder runs through it, and I wasn't having any success at turning the "screw" for the cylinder that's behind the door weatherstrip. The manual refers to it as a "screw" but it looks more like a rounded-out allen screw to me. I found nothing that will fit it. I have attached a picture. Anybody know what makes this thing move?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Be very careful getting it out! It is in a flimsy sheet metal tube attached to the cylinder housing, and it can break off, then you are really screwed! (Ask me how I know...) It is a set screw about an inch long.
Try a left-hand drill bit, 1/8" as I recall.
Try a left-hand drill bit, 1/8" as I recall.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Meridian, ID
I had the exact same problem Friday! Thought about drilling it out, but before that thought about easy outs. Then on a whim, I took a small Craftsman Phillips screw driver and pushed against the screw while turning it. To my surprise, it backed out without a problem. It's a fine thread screw. I'm hoping to find a headed screw, same thread and length from Fastenal. Good luck.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 103
From: Birdsboro PA
I have found that sometimes if you strip it with and allen wrench, you can use a torques wrench and it might come out. The teeth kind of dig in better. I did that on a few of my doors, but i also broke off a torques in one of the doors that i wanted to save the key cylinder.
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,516
Likes: 401
From: W. Central FL.
Update. I sneaked the door seal back and fit the allen wrench I used. It measured at 3/32". Since we're asking for suggestions, I've used bristol wrenches before where the allen wrench stripped. Find one slightly larger than the allen and drive it in.
Trending Topics
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,188
Likes: 4,792
From: Burbank, WA
The Bristol fastener was new for me, too. Good info.
If you can get the set screw out, you shouldn't need to put back a headed screw. The set screw will work fine. Make sure your threads are clean and put the set screw back with some anti-seize. As tight as the area is under the rubber, the head will get in the way.
Originally Posted by alamartina
I'm hoping to find a headed screw, same thread and length from Fastenal.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
I've had about a 50% success rate when removing these darn set screws. Try a little heat to help unfreeze it. I agree with Wayne. Using a set screw is fine. I was able to find the same set screw as the original at my local hardware store.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: Central Oregon
I just got mine out this week (at the locksmith getting a key cut for it as we speak). I kept spraying it with PB Blaster and WD40. After about a month of spraying it once a week or so, it came out.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
out of curiousity, if you have no intention of saving the lock cylinder, is there an easier way to accomplish this if it is stuck (i.e. can you just drill it out)?
Reason I ask is I am about to tackle this and my lock cylinder has already been butchered by some back woods lock smith with a drill bit.
Reason I ask is I am about to tackle this and my lock cylinder has already been butchered by some back woods lock smith with a drill bit.