Re: Lock Freeze

[Brett Dikeman <brett@arthur.malebolge.com>]

At 1:57 AM -0500 on 1/14/98, Chris Maresca wrote:

> It seems that the evaporating alcohol creates heat, which helps in freeing
> up lock parts.  I guess it also disolves accumulated gunk in the lock.
Actually, it's because the alcohol is warmer than freezing(esp. if it's
been in your pocket) and it melts the ice, and the combined alcohol and
water can't freeze until it gets REALLY cold.
However, the alcohol could clean out the grease the lock is packed in.


> > We just hit -1 here (and more chill with wind-chill factor). The two cars
> > I've treated with graphite power is squeaking when I tried to lock and
> > unlock 'em. Anyone has other ideas?
> >
> > >You should try cleaning and lubing your trunk lock mechanism.  Clean
> > >with WD-40 or whatever, lube with lithium I guess.  Any better ideas?
I took apart the lock tumbler.  Easy as pie. Cleaned it all out, popped it
back in, and boom, no more problems at _all_.  Seems the huge amount of
grease in the lock was trapping moisture.

Also, when you've got the tumber apart, you can clean the flap and the area
the flap presses against, providing a better seal.

Want a solution, for when it rains then freezes or something?

Electrical tape.  Seals the whole thing over, and matches the black door
handles.

I have also, when I was desperate, rubbed the top+bottoms of the handle
with both hands very, very quickly and hard, generating heat and sometimes
just enough to loosen up the locking mechanism.

Speaking of locks, time to go fix my $%#%^% front driver's side lock that
my mother broke...popped ball joint, AGAIN....


Brett

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Brett Dikeman
brett@pdikeman.ne.mediaone.net
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