Keylock cylinder in driver's door is tough

[jeepthing]

On my driver's door, it take a LOT of effort to turn it with a key in it to SLOWLY make that thing unlock. The passenger side is fine, but the driver's door has gotten worse over the last few months that I've owned the jeep. I'm currently installing a keyless entry system into it (I'll post info about the install later) so I don't have to use the key anymore.

I pulled off the door panel and tried to look at the assembly, and everything looks like it's there...but what am I supposed to adjust/fix/lube/??? to fix my problem.

thanks!

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I usually use PB Blaster or WD-40 push the little red straw into the lock just far enough to open the Key hole cover, and spray the heck out of it. Work the key back and forth then spray some more. Then spray with a lubricant like Marvel Mystery Oil spray or something of that nature.

[jeepthing]

so would my problem be in the cylinder..or is it in the associated rods/levers/etc in there that unlocks/locks the door?

[Chevelleguy]

I pulled the pannel and coated every moving lever I could reach with bearing grease and PB Blaster. Helped alot.

[letank]

i had the same problem.... rod / mechanism bent i guess... then the whole latch broke (the return spring, the flat one not the wire one) but i have almost 30 years of use.

How i fixed it... got a whole new door at the yard..... from a newer waggy

Michel

[Cecil14]

Originally posted by jeepthing:
so would my problem be in the cylinder..or is it in the associated rods/levers/etc in there that unlocks/locks the door?More than likely it's just the cylinder itself. Spray it with some lube like C_J said and it should be good to go.

Anthony

[brent]

If none of this works get a new set. Had a locksmith install some new Mopars in mine when tumblers took a dump--$60.
There's another internal part of the lock that nobody's mentioning, I think its a part called a slider. "You can't replace a slider" mech told me. Maybe you can, either way he's richer.
I tore tumblers out of their clips and lubed 'em every which way but it didn't work for me.--Brent

[89grand]

I had this problem too. My solution was to swap the drivers side and passenger side lock cylinders. Sure the passenger side is hard to open with the key now but how often do you really need to open the passenger side with the key.

[J4GRAND]

I had a problem with a sticky passenger side lock and it turned out that it was the rubber grommet around the pull knob at the top of the door. I replaced the knobs and this one fit tight in the grommet. Reamed the grommet- lock works fine.

[89GW]

Just pulled my 89 Grand W. driver door apart to fix this problem. Mine had gotton to the "key would turn - but wouldn't unlock point". The square drive at the end of the key tumbler assy. (where it engages the lever system) had rounded off...... i.e. the lever it engages had frozen to it's mating part. Hard to see this lever from the inside - easy to see with a mirror or from the hole where the key tumbler goes. Bet this lever has made a lot of locks feel 'tight' when it seemed like it was the tumbler.