Protecting the Lock actuator from frost

paulh260260 · 3rd May 2023, 06:29

Guys

OK, this is an odd time of the year to be thinking about this however I had some major issues last winter and, as the door cards are off at the moment, I thought I'd try some preventative maintenence to avoid the same issues this coming winter.

I've had look around and the general consensus is to spray the lock mechanism liberally with grease via the inner door cavity, however I can't see how this would be that effective as almost all of the exposed parts that will get the grease are plastic. The metal inner workings are hidden by either the plastic or are inaccesable due to them being screwed to the door at the latch side.

Would it be better to spray the grease through the actual latch side?

Thoughts guys??

Paul

KWIL · 3rd May 2023, 07:54

There is also the problem of moisture in the lock barrel itself. Consult a locksmith, there are special "sprays" designed for lubricating those parts. OIl, greases etc must not be used.

vitesse · 3rd May 2023, 08:12

Had this problem last winter with bouncing doors when I tried to lock them, the car was a newly bought one and after my experiences with my old one, knew there was only one solution: off with the door cards and spray light oil (I used ATF) soaking all the latches and mechanism. I have my own compressor. Success, never came back.

I don't think it's normally possible to lubricate the motors as everything is well hidden, but soaking everything from the inside does help and if it helps during our -20c winters it should be more than enough in mere frosty UK.

Regards

paulh260260 · 3rd May 2023, 08:44

I'd not considered the actual barrel as so far the drivers door hasn't posed a problem but that a good point and I'll get some lock lubricant as well.

And if a good dose of ATF protects against Swedish winters then that sound like its actually fine to just cover everything anyway.

Thanks for the responses guys, I'll add the items to my shopping list for my visit to Euro Car Parts!!

Paul

Matt_75 · 3rd May 2023, 08:44

For the mechanical parts of a lock mechanism, I was told that Graphite Powder is the correct thing to use. I'm not sure about its interaction with the electrical parts though.

KWIL · 3rd May 2023, 10:34

Graphite powder is the correct method for most locks (no problems with electrics on our lock barrels), however if it is a moisture problem then that will not of necessity fix it, hence my suggestion of the available sprays from a locksmith.

drewbie · 4th May 2023, 18:48

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ro...id:0Ud1T7qTmEw

Split_Pin · 8th May 2023, 10:00

Chase out the moisture with WD40 and then slather everything with silicone grease. I've never had a problem with bouncing doors in the winter since doing that.

roverbarmy · 10th May 2023, 16:07

ACF50 spray and grease. Not cheap but works on aircraft carriers and is suitable for electrics too.

Sent from my SM-A127F using Tapatalk

3rd May 2023, 06:29	#1
paulh260260 Still learning... Gold 04 75 Connie SE 2.5 V6 Petrol, Silver 52 Connie SE 2.5 V6 Petrol, 04 BRG Connie 2.5 V6 Petrol Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MANCHESTER Posts: 231 Thanks: 129 Thanked 40 Times in 27 Posts	Protecting the Lock actuator from frost Guys OK, this is an odd time of the year to be thinking about this however I had some major issues last winter and, as the door cards are off at the moment, I thought I'd try some preventative maintenence to avoid the same issues this coming winter. I've had look around and the general consensus is to spray the lock mechanism liberally with grease via the inner door cavity, however I can't see how this would be that effective as almost all of the exposed parts that will get the grease are plastic. The metal inner workings are hidden by either the plastic or are inaccesable due to them being screwed to the door at the latch side. Would it be better to spray the grease through the actual latch side? Thoughts guys?? Paul __________________ Still figuring out where this last nut goes...

3rd May 2023, 08:44	#4
paulh260260 Still learning... Gold 04 75 Connie SE 2.5 V6 Petrol, Silver 52 Connie SE 2.5 V6 Petrol, 04 BRG Connie 2.5 V6 Petrol Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MANCHESTER Posts: 231 Thanks: 129 Thanked 40 Times in 27 Posts	I'd not considered the actual barrel as so far the drivers door hasn't posed a problem but that a good point and I'll get some lock lubricant as well. And if a good dose of ATF protects against Swedish winters then that sound like its actually fine to just cover everything anyway. Thanks for the responses guys, I'll add the items to my shopping list for my visit to Euro Car Parts!! Paul __________________ Still figuring out where this last nut goes...

3rd May 2023, 08:44	#5
Matt_75 Gets stuck in 75 Saloon Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: North Somerset Posts: 604 Thanks: 13 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	For the mechanical parts of a lock mechanism, I was told that Graphite Powder is the correct thing to use. I'm not sure about its interaction with the electrical parts though. __________________ Matt 2001 Rover 75 Connoisseur SE 2.5 (BRG) 1999 Rover 75 Club 2.5 (Dorchester Red) 1973 Triumph Dolomite (Honeysuckle)

10th May 2023, 16:07	#9
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,097 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	ACF50 spray and grease. Not cheap but works on aircraft carriers and is suitable for electrics too. Sent from my SM-A127F using Tapatalk __________________ Oil in my veins!

3rd May 2023, 07:54	#2
KWIL Precise Rover 75 Tourer 2.5KV6 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fleet Posts: 2,973 Thanks: 630 Thanked 617 Times in 480 Posts	There is also the problem of moisture in the lock barrel itself. Consult a locksmith, there are special "sprays" designed for lubricating those parts. OIl, greases etc must not be used.

3rd May 2023, 08:12	#3
vitesse I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gävle Posts: 2,576 Thanks: 395 Thanked 823 Times in 652 Posts	Had this problem last winter with bouncing doors when I tried to lock them, the car was a newly bought one and after my experiences with my old one, knew there was only one solution: off with the door cards and spray light oil (I used ATF) soaking all the latches and mechanism. I have my own compressor. Success, never came back. I don't think it's normally possible to lubricate the motors as everything is well hidden, but soaking everything from the inside does help and if it helps during our -20c winters it should be more than enough in mere frosty UK. Regards

3rd May 2023, 10:34	#6
KWIL Precise Rover 75 Tourer 2.5KV6 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fleet Posts: 2,973 Thanks: 630 Thanked 617 Times in 480 Posts	Graphite powder is the correct method for most locks (no problems with electrics on our lock barrels), however if it is a moisture problem then that will not of necessity fix it, hence my suggestion of the available sprays from a locksmith.

4th May 2023, 18:48	#7
drewbie Loves to post Rover 75 Club SE 1.8T 03 plate. Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tenterden Posts: 277 Thanks: 28 Thanked 41 Times in 37 Posts	https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ro...id:0Ud1T7qTmEw

8th May 2023, 10:00	#8
Split_Pin Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Bonnybridge Posts: 65 Thanks: 37 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts	Chase out the moisture with WD40 and then slather everything with silicone grease. I've never had a problem with bouncing doors in the winter since doing that.