Lost key! Replacing tumblr, now can't lock the door

[jcb]

Could you post a picture of the fixture you made? I need to get the facecap off and be able to reuse it. If you want to send it to my email: johnbutchersr@suddenlink.net Thanks, JB

[Captain Obvious]

Could you post a picture of the fixture you made? I need to get the facecap off and be able to reuse it. If you want to send it to my email: johnbutchersr@suddenlink.net Thanks, JB

JB, My first attempt at getting the facecap off was to use a small screwdriver and bend (or unbend) the crimped over portion all the way around, and while it did work, it's easy to mangle the facecap in the process. So it's nothing glamorous, but here's what I came up with. It's got an angled face that accepts and supports the front of the facecap and it's got a tight fit around the outside lip of the facecap so there's no wasted motion by the cap squirming around while you apply force. It concentrates the force in the bend area where you want it and keeps the rest of the facecap from distorting during the process.

Here's where the facecap goes:

Here's a lock face down in the fixture:

I clamped the lock face down into the fixture in a vise and worked my way around with a couple different sized screwdrivers. Here's a close-up shot showing the facecap flange after it has been bent out of the way:

And here's a facecap completely off:

[EScanlon]

Excellent tool ingenuity!

I'd be interested in finding out if you would sell a duplicate.

E

[Captain Obvious]

Thanks E. I made that fixture a while ago and it's been so long that I don't remember if there were any gotchas in the fabrication. Maybe I'll make a second one and see if it's possible to make them cheap enough to offer. Haha. My own time is "free" in my shop, right?

If you're thinking you're going to do a bunch of these things, they make tools specially designed for this job. There are several different brands, but here's one example from http://www.gatortools.com/FaceCapTool1.htm:

I did a little looking around and saw that the prices for tools like the above seem to range ~70-200. The simple fixture I made is specifically sized for the Z door locks (and anything else the exact same size). The professional tools are adjustable and adaptable to other sizes.

You know would work the best? My holding fixture in COMBINATION with one of those fancy facecap removal pliers. I bet that would be the shizz.

[jcb]

Hey Captain, Great pictures and explanation. Thanks for taking the time to share it with everyone JB

[EScanlon]

I'll check into those gator tools, there is an outlet listed just into Portland.

Thanks Capt!

E

[Captain Obvious]

My pleasure guys. I've got other lock pictures that I took when I redid all mine. Someday I really mean to get around to documenting some of that. There's always just something else hotter on the list though.

Hey E, if you do get a pair of those facecap removal pliers, I'd be interested in hearing how well they worked. That holding fixture I made isn't the easiest thing to use, but it was virtually free (other than my time investment) and the results were really good. I've popped maybe six facecaps off since I made it, and all of them have been in suitably re-usable condition. I'm sure the "right" tool works easier and maybe better results as well. I'd love to have a good pair. Being as how I'm not in the biz, I just couldn't justify the cost for the few times I expected to use it.

[63ronin]

So I have had the same problem and ignored it for the last couple years. Seeing as I only drive my Z a few times a year I figured I could live with the problem. But as it's winter and I have nothing better to do right now, I figured I'd look at the problem. After taking it all apart I could see what was happening. Got onto this forum and as usual, found a solution. I should have my Z's lock back working in no time.

Now... did anyone see where that damn little spring from inside the cylinder flew off too...

[Mikes Z car]

A powerful magnet waved around just off the floor sometimes helps me find small metal parts. I usually put the magnet in a ziploc bag or wrap it in paper to keep metal particles from sticking to it that might be hard to get off. When I have the presence of mind to think of it in advance, I take small parts apart in the shower after I cover the drain. A clever spring can still vault over the shower door but not usually.

[63ronin]

A powerful magnet waved around just off the floor sometimes helps me find small metal parts. I usually put the magnet in a ziploc bag or wrap it in paper to keep metal particles from sticking to it that might be hard to get off. When I have the presence of mind to think of it in advance, I take small parts apart in the shower after I cover the drain. A clever spring can still vault over the shower door but not usually.

After digging through my tool chest I found my magnetic part picker-upper. After a bit of poking and prodding it found the little spring in the bottom of the door. I was so relieved. Now I can finally fix that damn annoying door problem.