Is there a way to clean out a door lock?

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mcveigh

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2000
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I'm working on a friends car and her little boy put a twig or something in it. I have looked in it and can't see anything. I have sprayed WD40 in there trying to blast anything out but nothing came out.
Does anyone have an idea? Or is a locksmith the best bet?

This is a 1996 Jeep Cherokee BTW.
 

cprince

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May 8, 2007
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try putting a small amount of super glue on a small stick and see if it'll stick to the twig and pull them both out.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
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Probably have to either go in with some tweezers or you'll have to diassemble the lock cylinder. Luckily it wasn't the ignition cylinder. That would be a major PITA.
 

ecom

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Feb 25, 2009
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WD-40 is probably the worst thing you could put in a lock because it will get gummed up. Next time use graphite lube or Triflow.
 

Paperdoc

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Aug 17, 2006
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Yes, you can remove a door lock (you have to start by taking the door apart on the inside to disconnect the link rods and remove the U-shaped metal cylinder retainer), disassemble it for cleaning, re-assemble it with graphite dry lube dust, and re-install. It's the kind of fine-detail work a locksmith does all the time, and I've done it often on my cars. Be aware you'll have to figure out a few tricks to getting it apart and together, and there will be several tiny parts and springs trying to jump around on you. Lose any and you're in deep doo-doo! So if you're good with fine mechanical things, give yourself time and a clean workspace and work through it, slowly the first time. But if not, only go as far as removing the lock cylinder system from the door. Take it to a locksmith to let them clean it, then re-install yourself.

I highly DON"T recommend pushing into the lock a stick with Super Glue on it. Where do you think the super Glue will go? Besides, you'd never get a solid enough grip on a jammed twig to be able to remove it cleanly.
 

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
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Originally posted by: Paperdoc
I highly DON"T recommend pushing into the lock a stick with Super Glue on it. Where do you think the super Glue will go?

THIS! Once you mash the stick in there, the super glue will just get on the internals and you don't want to have to clean that up once it dries.

 

Black88GTA

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Sep 9, 2003
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I have 1/2 of a key stuck in the passenger side door lock of my Subaru, courtesy of the previous owner. I got a $2 pair of pliers at HD and ground down the sides / tops of the jaws with a belt / disc sander until they were slim enough to fit in the keyhole. Then insert, grab, pull.

Didn't work out for me though - I could get a good grip on the object stuck in the lock, but the broken end of the key is twisted up in there and caught on something. Might work better on something with more give, like a twig.
 
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