PlainBrownR2
Commander Member
USA
1799 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2010 : 01:15:33 AM
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A couple days ago I had my Lark's lock quit working. I came out of the
gas station, unlocked the car, and without warning the lock just spun
in the door, and the inside lock just sat there. Well today I popped it
loose from the door. Upon following Bob Johnstone's instructions on
servicing the late model lock, I discovered the projection sheared off.
This projection is no larger than 1/8 long, aluminum(I think), and over
40 years old. It's also what makes the whole lock, well lock, which is
ironic really, but that's me. So at first I thought, well let's try JB
weld.
While the JB weld was curing it dawned on me that this
was not much more than a stud, and there was a better way to repair
this. This doesn't do much more than engage a cam at the end of the
cylinder, which turns the shaft back and forth to raise the lock
button. So I cleaned off the projection, dimpled it, and drilled it out
with a 3/64 drill bit, and tapped it with one of my amateur radio,
electronics, or stainless steel machine screws. These are very very
tiny screws which might be used to hold down a circuit board, a
heatsink, or something that is compact. I then used a file and Dremel
tool, and filed it down to the length of the broken off projection, and
put it back together. I also had to make sure that the screw was not
into the keeper, because then the keeper would not slide down the
cylinder.
Success!! the screw engages the cam, which spins the
shaft. When I grab the shaft, the key stops turning, which tells me
it's far enough in the recess. Now, let's see what happens tomorrow
when it goes back in its home position. Here's the pictures of the work.
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