Editing Forums/Z31P/z31-repairs-forums cosmetic-interior-exterior-aa/Door Lock Cylinder

{{ForumImport
|op_user=Raydiance
|op_date=2016-09-15 00:56:02
|post_count=20
|archive_url=/Z31performance_archive/forum/z31-repairs-forums/cosmetic-interior-exterior-aa/532366-door-lock-cylinder.html
}}

'''Raydiance:''' <small>(2016-09-15 00:56:02)</small>

Hi everyone. New to the forums and recently bought a '89 NA (GLL trim) that is in pretty good condition as a first time project car.

I have been slowly going over the car and identifying things here and there that require attention, one of which being the passenger side door lock cylinder, which is stiff to turn. I am trying to remove it for cleaning/lubing, as well as to find the key code to cut new keys as my purchase only came with a spare. However, I am having trouble removing the door handle/lock assembly. I have been following the Haynes manual for removing it but cannot make too much sense of the instructions or black/white images. Has anyone had experience with this and have better instructions on how to go about removing the door lock cylinder?

Thanks.

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'''Z_Karma:''' <small>(2016-09-15 01:38:23)</small>

Welcome to the Z31 family!

I've rebuilt my lock cylinders and used silicone grease to keep them smooth. I don't have any photos though. The handle/latch assembly is secured with 2 M6 nuts that require a 10mm socket.

IIRC, one is accessed through a opening in the panel, the other is accessed through a hole that is not much larger than the socket. The actuation rods are clipped on and the clips need to be rotated

so that they disengage the rods. once those are unclipped and the nuts are removed, the whole assembly comes out.

edit: I have to remove my inner door panels tonight for removing my mirrors, i'll see if i can get you a photo.

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'''Raydiance:''' <small>(2016-09-15 01:47:19)</small>

Thank you for the quick response. I have the door trim removed such that the water/vapor barrier is exposed and I can see the internal actuation rods you are referring to. I know that two nuts need to be removed first. However, as far as I can figure, those two nuts inside the door structure are blocked by the window, unless I am focusing on the wrong ones.

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'''Z_Karma:''' <small>(2016-09-15 02:29:27)</small>

I think you gotta have the window fully closed to access them, but i'll check.

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'''Raydiance:''' <small>(2016-09-15 05:08:16)</small>

Fully closed, it still partially blocks one and fully blocks the other if they are the nuts I am thinking about.

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'''kaur:''' <small>(2016-09-15 05:36:46)</small>

I was just messing around with the doors. Maybe my thread about another issue will help you find the nuts

https://z31performance.com/forum/z31…g-window-glass

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'''Raydiance:''' <small>(2016-09-15 06:13:09)</small>

{{Quote|user=kaur|I was just messing around with the doors. Maybe my thread about another issue will help you find the nuts

https://z31performance.com/forum/z31…g-window-glass}}

So, based on your image, which I also find on Nissan's OEM Parts page, I am under the impression I need to remove the two "08911-10637" nuts first. The problem is that as far as I can tell, regardless of the position of the window (open/closed/partial), access to said nuts are blocked by the window from a direct, axial approach, with a socket for example.

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'''kaur:''' <small>(2016-09-15 07:12:04)</small>

The one that's more to the rear of the car should be directly accessible through the hole with a longer socket. The other one was a bit trickier to access head on if I remember correctly. I used a wrench on that one. It's not the most convenient place to access anyway.

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'''Z_Karma:''' <small>(2016-09-15 13:04:28)</small>

So i verified it, but didn't grab a photo. You will have to remove the window limit stop plates and then either remove the glass or at least un bolt it from the lifting mechanism. Then upper mount for the rear track needs to be unbolted and slid forward to access one of the nuts to remove the handle.

You might be able to sneak in there with a combo wrench, but i'd just remove the glass if it were me. I did my locks over 2 years ago i guess.

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'''Raydiance:''' <small>(2016-09-18 19:30:52)</small>

Sounds like a lot of work just for the door lock cylinder…

Would you or anyone else happen to know of a simpler way? I have been following the Haynes manual (found online here: [http://manuals.z31.nl/Nissan/300ZX%20Z31/z31_haynes/14%20-%20Haynes%20(z31)%20Chapter%2011%20-%20Body%20(pages%20235-251).pdf http://manuals.z31.nl/Nissan/300ZX%2…20235-251).pdf] | pg 271, pg 7 of the PDF) and the instructions seem someone simple, unless it skipped a bunch of steps. I am just not terribly familiar with the car, or cars in general for that matter, to know simple work-arounds.

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'''mtherkamp:''' <small>(2016-09-19 16:38:53)</small>

When I had to replace my door handle, I had to remove the door glass. Its actually not too hard to do, just don't drop it!

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'''Z_Karma:''' <small>(2016-09-19 18:03:42)</small>

Just mark the locations of the fasteners that hold the rails and limit plates to the door skin with a sharpie so you get them back in the same spot

and they stay in alignment. Chances are that if the lock cylinder grease has evolved into whale snot, the grease in the window mechanism

could use some fresh lube as well.

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'''Raydiance:''' <small>(2016-09-19 23:02:41)</small>

Thanks for the help. I'll post an update when I get the time since it looks like it will be more work than expected. Or if I find a quicker solution.

On that note, does anyone know if the key code is stamped into the cylinder, or if it's just printed? I can peak at a four-digit number but have nothing to compare against as my car did not come with the key code sticker in the glove box.

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'''Z_Karma:''' <small>(2016-09-20 03:03:49)</small>

It should be a X plus 4 digits for a main lock key (X _ _ _ _ ) or a Y plus 4 digits for a valet key (Y _ _ _ _ ). The numbers do match from the main lock key to valet key.

I have a lock set (PN 99810-04P28) NIB here for my AE and none of the cylinders or ignition have any markings that correspond to the codes on the keys.

It's possible that if your's was replaced sometime in the past, somebody had the foresight to mark them with the code, but i wouldn't bet on it.

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'''mtherkamp:''' <small>(2016-09-20 13:02:04)</small>

Where are you guys going to get keys re-cut, nissan dealer? I think I have the sticker, does the valet key not work on the hatch? If so then I think I only have that one and not the main key.

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'''Z_Karma:''' <small>(2016-09-20 20:55:58)</small>

Valet works on all but the glovebox. Not sure about the T-top locks though.

I recently called my local dealer to verify they can still cut keys using the code and they said they could.

I bought some uncut Nissan blanks from Ebay. My 84T has the glovebox sticker, but the other 3 don't.

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'''Raydiance:''' <small>(2016-09-21 02:06:48)</small>

{{Quote|user=Z_Karma|It should be a X plus 4 digits for a main lock key (X _ _ _ _ ) or a Y plus 4 digits for a valet key (Y _ _ _ _ ). The numbers do match from the main lock key to valet key.

I have a lock set (PN 99810-04P28) NIB here for my AE and none of the cylinders or ignition have any markings that correspond to the codes on the keys.

It's possible that if your's was replaced sometime in the past, somebody had the foresight to mark them with the code, but i wouldn't bet on it.}}

I only saw four digits, no X or Y.

{{Quote|user=mtherkamp|Where are you guys going to get keys re-cut, nissan dealer? I think I have the sticker, does the valet key not work on the hatch? If so then I think I only have that one and not the main key.}}

The valet key does NOT work with the hatch, nor lock the glove box or the t-tops in my experience. Only the ignition and both doors. I was going to see if the dealership or a local locksmith was cheaper.

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'''Raydiance:''' <small>(2016-09-26 01:13:29)</small>

So, I haven't had time to remove the door lock cylinder and the weather in my area hasn't exactly been cooperative either so I'm debating an alternative.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a solvent to clear up the gunk that's built up in the lock cylinder? I can't be sure a previous owner hasn't tried to lubricate the lock themselves so ideally it would be something that would work for any type of lubricant, be it the original lube or something that was added aftermarket.

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'''Z_Karma:''' <small>(2016-09-26 05:24:01)</small>

You can try to flush it out with lubricant/solvents like WD-40 or PB-Blaster using the straw inserted into the keyhole,

then maybe a can of compressed air (if you don't have access to a compressor) to blow/flush out the solvent, followed by a white lithium grease.

Aerosol white lithium grease goes in like a normal wd-40, but then the liquid evaporates off leaving the grease in the places the liquid penetrated.

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'''Raydiance:''' <small>(2016-09-26 23:09:18)</small>

That was the new plan, I just hadn't figured out what solvent to use. Thanks again for the advice!