47 outside door handle won’t open the door, now.

[Kelly Burns]

I bought my ‘47 in October, and the other day, for some reason, I decided to look the driver’s side door. It was only hard to turn the key, but not enough to “force it”, if that makes sense. It was enough that I thought to try to unlock it, and I can’t, and I’ve use more force than it too to lock it. I’ve not leaned really hard, I didn’t want to break the key off or something else. But not the door is locked, I can still open it from the inside without any problem. I called the guy I bought it from, his dad had owned it since ‘86, and he said he did think the door had ever been locked, while he had it.

What advice do you have for me to get the door unlocked? I’ve not tried spraying silicon spray or WD-40 in the lock yet, which my first thought was it’s dirty inside?

Thanks for your help!

[Doublepumper]

Most likely one or more of the pins inside the lock are not retracting completely under spring pressure due to hardened lube. I'd spray it with WD, working the key in and out of the lock. That should work the lock pins enough to get them free. Good luck!

[Ggmac]

Have you tried unlocking it from the inside ? Then retry the key .

[TJ]

It sounds like the spring in the remote mechanism that is behind the handle is broke and has jammed the mechanism. You need to pull the door panel to check that spring.

[paul2748]

Definitely try some WD 40 or similar. Had the same problem with my 2001 ranger WD 40 took care of it.

[Kelly Burns]

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Thanks for the advice guys!
I sprayed WD-40 in the lock tonight and worked the keys in and out, I figured I would do the same tomorrow night and see what happens.

[tubman]

Locks are funny things; they can become gummed up, which is why they make special lock lubricant with graphite. On the chance that WD-40 would accumulate dust and dirt over time, I would use brake cleaner for the initial cleaning, and then the specialized lock lubricant if it freed up.

Maybe "32Phil" will see this and add his expertise.

[325w]

Might take the lock out of the door and soak for a while..could be stuck in the latch part of the lock

[Kelly Burns]

Originally Posted by tubman

Locks are funny things; they can become gummed up, which is why they make special lock lubricant with graphite. On the chance that WD-40 would accumulate dust and dirt over time, I would use brake cleaner for the initial cleaning, and then the specialized lock lubricant if it freed up.

Maybe "32Phil" will see this and add his expertise.

Its still not budging! So last night after driving it to dinner, I sprayed brake clean in the lock a couple of times. Tonight, I'll shoot more WD-40.

"Maybe "32Phil" will see this and add his expertise" I hope so!?

[Kelly Burns]

Originally Posted by 325w

Might take the lock out of the door and soak for a while..could be stuck in the latch part of the lock

Can the lock just be simply taken out?

[tubman]

Originally Posted by Kelly Burns

Can the lock just be simply taken out?

They can be a bit of a problem. Don't just jump into it without doing some research. See this thread : https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=345776. The good stuff starts about post 12.

[kurt v]

Stay away from wd40 it is a water displacement and not a lubricate, it will only gum stuff up over time.

[tubman]

Originally Posted by kurt v

Stay away from wd40 it is a water displacement and not a lubricate, it will only gum stuff up over time.

He is correct; and, from the name, it took them 40 tries to get it right. If you need a penetrant, use PB Blaster, Sea Foam spray, or maybe even good old Liquid Wrench. For just cleaning things, Brake cleaner is probably better than anything.

[JayChicago]

I used WD40 on new hinges in my house. Couple years later when squeaks developed, the hinge pins required beating to get them out. The WD40 had turned to a sticky gum. Cleaned the pins with solvent, lubed with liquid graphite.

[cas3]

And, don't ever get WD 40 anywhere near anything you are planning to paint. Its nearly impossible to get cleaned off and will make "fish eyes" in the paint

[Drbrown]

I agree with Tubman. What most any locksmith would say is WD and the like might be okay to loosen-up a lock cylinder but afterwards take it apart and use dry graphite to lube the cylinder.