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Subject Topic: Very stiff door lock Post Reply Post New Topic
29/3/2012 at 7:55pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: abbey GTS vogue 416
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I have a ACE Firestar (SWIFT) and the door lock is extremely stiff.

The key tumbler is free. It is the friction of the plastic interior door lever that is the problem. This in itself is very stiff.

There are 2 screws behind a removable insert on the inside but that does not enable me to remove completely to further investigate.

Have sprayed WD40 everywhere but that didn't help.

I am worried the key might break in the lock as it is very stiff and clunky.

Can anyone asvise how to strip down the door lock so I can look further.

Thanks



29/3/2012 at 8:24pm
 Location: south cheshire
 Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi
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Can't advise how to further strip down the lock (someone will be along later who does know!), but have you got your caravan level? I know this greatly affects whether my door and pop top roof work as they should.

Also, could it be the actual door (or maybe the frame) that is out of shape or misalligned in some way that would make the lock stiff? Has it always been like that, or has it gone that way over winter? Check the door seals as well where they go around the lock, in case a bit has turned the other way when you weren't looking!

I'd leave the WD40 to penetrate a bit before I tried taking the lock off... you may need something like 3 in 1 oil to loosen it if indeed it is the actual lock and not something like the above that is causing the problem.

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29/3/2012 at 8:56pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: abbey GTS vogue 416
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The lock is stiff when the door is open so there is no alignment problems.

The interior plastic lock / unlock handle is very stiff to turn. ?That is what is causing it.

When the handle is turned manually the key turns easily.

Thanks for the suggestions.

As you say hopefully someone will come along with the right solution



29/3/2012 at 10:24pm
 Location: east midlands
 Outfit: swift 530
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Is your van a recent purchase? The reason I ask is because when we first got our van an Abi of mature years the lock was very stiff and didn't improve with wd40. However as we have used the lock more frequently it has become looser and more easy to use. Just treat it gently to start.


29/3/2012 at 11:08pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
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Hi, is your lock made my Hartal?

We had the same problem but our dealer fixed ours under warranty, if you google Hartal you will see that is seems to be a common problem.  There are also some suggestions on how to fix.

Regards Janette



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29/3/2012 at 11:16pm
 Location: Near Alton Towers
 Outfit: Bailey Burgundy S7 H
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As Janette says Hartel had a problem like you describe, I had it on my van. The component parts were made slightly out of spec and are causing too much pressure/friction on the moving parts. Relatively easy fix, you can spray lubricant till the cows come home but it needs modifying to fix it permanently.

Dave



30/3/2012 at 12:43am
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I am not 100% but I believe that WD40 contains not just lubricants but solvents too. Using it on metal will be fine. However used on certain plastics it can react with them and make the surface sticky. The opposite to what you require. It may be too late to fix but you could try silicone lubricant or certain furniture polish or the best would be a graphite grease. If I am wrong someone will correct me soon.

-------------
A barman is just a pharmacist
with a limited inventory


30/3/2012 at 12:45am
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The locks have grease in them,spraying wd40 will wash it out..try a grease

-------------
Animals have feelings..

JEFF................


30/3/2012 at 8:04am
 Location: Bath
 Outfit: Bailey Palermo & Kampa Brean
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had to do ours the other day - its a hartal.

you need to remove the cover with hartall written on it to get at 2 of the screws.
then you need to remove the green and red covers to get at the other 2. these are hard to get out, I used a very small screwdriver.

then you can take the lot off.

i got it all cleaned out, and then got a bit of sandpaper to polish the barell bit up a bit and gave it a good clean out, and have greased it all and put it back together. works fine now.

by the way watch the screws...2 are shorter....i found out to my detriment!!!!!



30/3/2012 at 6:36pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
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repair as above,hartall locks are well known for sticking.

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


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30/3/2012 at 6:58pm
 Location: cheshire
 Outfit: bailey ranger 470 4
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I had a the same problem ours is the hartel lock I stripped it down and eased the parts with wet n dry sandpaper I lubricated the parts with graphite powder instead of grease and it's been fine since


03/4/2012 at 6:20pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: abbey GTS vogue 416
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I wondered if there were any more screws underneath the red and green inserts. Didn't fancy levering them out causing possible damage in vain. Now I know I need to do so I will. Many thanks to ALL. The picture is just the ticket. Got some quality silicone grease and wet N dry so will fix it over the Easter.

Bob



03/4/2012 at 6:26pm
 Location: DURHAM
 Outfit: Mondeo TItanium 140 Avondale Mayfly 25
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Got to agree with Chalkie56 about WD40, I used it on my gas locker hinges and after a couple of days they were stiffer than before I used WDF40. I now use silicone spray on any hinges and locks, and have never hade any more problems.



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