Series One Door Latch?

[70z4fun]

Howdy,

Went out to lock my car the other day, and the thing would not lock from the outside or inside.

Pulled the drives side door panel and the rods off the key cylinder/lock rod and still no go.

I guess it is time to replace the lock mechanism, got out my hand Z cd rom, got the part number, and guess what? No longer available! So, next was ebay, and a few there listed look beat with paint on them…..

Went to Motorsport, and they don't show them anymore either…...

Going to pull the old one out today, and start looking in other places.

 

Any other options or rebuild threads?
Did a quick search, and didn't see anything. 

Maybe it available in Canada??? Junk yard?

 

Any advice would be appreciated,

Bob

[cbuczesk]

Did something break? If not, maybe taking it out, cleaning, greasing and reinstall will fix it. There's much to the assembly. Maybe post some pics for us.

 

Chuck

[CDL1542]

I just went through this and there's a few tips I could offer WITHOUT replacing the mechanism. Firstly, take off the door panels and all the interior stuff before anything. Once you have that done, disconnect the linkages to the door locks and make sure that they work (if they do you're in good shape.). Now the next thing I did involves a little guesswork at first but there are three (3) screws holding the mechanism in place. Loosen these completely until the screws are only threaded in about a half turn (meaning that if you were to back them off any more they would come off. Now try out the mechanism and door lock (you'll have to push the latch mechanism on the door in first to simulate a shut door). If they do lock, the issue is either the length of the screws you're using or the rod going from the door lock to the mechanism. This rod has a kink in it and is very soft. Over time it tends to get shorter. If you put it in a vice and straighten it out slightly it should do the trick. Once that's done, screw the three screws back in and try that out. If it doesn't work after working before, the screws are out of order (there are two short and one long) or the rod needs to be longer.

 

It's a bit of a process and can take an hour or so but in the end they'll work well. I would recommend degreasing them and lubricating them as well!

[70z4fun]

Awesome advice, thanks so much.

I did take the whole mechanism out, and besides for the screws need to be replaced after all these years, I got the thing out and sure enough, the long screw was in the way of the locking mechanism, So, it will get screws. Just out of curiosity, why did they use one long screw? That must be for the top where it does not interfere? I think I will use the short screw sizes for all three, unless there is a good reason not to?

The mechanism is sitting on my work bench, will clean it, spray with silicone spray and reinstall.

All of my linkages seem fine, with that looks to be a good thing.

 

My guess is over the years, the vibration of the car made the screw go in just enough to get in the way of the lock? I did notice that there was no tooth washer on two of the screws.

 

Any other advice is greatly appreciated.

[70z4fun]

Just a quick update, pulled up the Z cd, and the parts show 3 - M6x1 screws with washers…… So I guess I got a long screw when it was painted many years ago……...

[CDL1542]

No idea why they used three different length screws. Even if you go with three short you should be fine but the mechanism may not work. If that is the case after getting it back in, straighten out the rod going from the door lock to the mechanism and adjust the plastic nut going to the door handle and that should take care of it. Again, it's one of those things you might have to fiddle around with for a bit but once you get it set right, you shouldn't have any issues.

[CDL1542]

Any luck?