The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Doors 51' door lock

I swear I posted this but couldn't find it on here. So here it is again.

Has anyone replaced the Original door lock with an aftermarket one? I bought one, put it in, but I can't get it to unlock from the outside. Took me forever to tinker with it to get it to lock from the outside.

Something seems wrong and also I am sure you all know the door can lock from the inside. I have tried locking it from the inside then installing the new lock cylinder and I have tried installing it with the door unlocked. both opened and closed (which seems to affect things as well) any help would be greatly appreciated. Eventually I might go with bear claw set up so I can have power locks and all that, but for now I just wanna be able to lock this thing.

It usually takes several tries to get the rod from the lock into the hole in the mechanism. Once it's in the hole it will lock.

The inside lock is a different mechanism and has nothing to do with the outside locking mechanism.

The rod on the lock could be in the wrong position.

Tim!

still not sure what this thread is under.

thanks guys, yeah I have tried the lock in both positions, still no luck. Glad to know the inside and outside locks are separate things.

I just don't understand why it will lock and has some resistance in doing so, but when I turn it the opposite way, it makes no sound and has no resistance. I wonder if something in there is messed up. I have it in the hole I know that and again, I have tried it with the lock in different positions, but the hole (more like a slot) is angled about 10 degrees. So the cylinder really only has two positions to go and I have tried both.

Did the vendor provide any instructions? Or do they have a tech/help line?

No instructions at all. I mean it is pretty cut in dry seeing how the OG lock comes out. I thought it was gonna be a breeze, I can get it in and finally got it to lock but it won't unlock.

Maybe I just got the cylinder in the wrong way, but there was really only two ways the cylinder can go to line up with the vertical hole inside. I tried all kinds of ways and spent well over and hour on this thing.

I got it from classicparts and it was like 30 bucks so I am gonna be bummed if I can't even lock my doors.

...does the cylinder work fine Before you put it in the the door? I know my 52 are different but I believe my back panel door is like your front door. When I installed mine I had somewhat the same problem. I took the lock and latch back out and tried them on the work bench to see if it'd work there.
It was still "stiff" until I greased all the part real good. Then the lock got easier to lock and unlock. Back in now and works good.
Don't know if this helps but just sharing my experience.