Door Lock Cylinder - Binding/Sticking/Key Hard to Insert

Bulletin No.: T-93-74
File in Group: 10
Number: 287
Corp.Ref.No.: 13107OR
Date: April, 1993

SUBJECT:
DOOR LOCK CYLINDERS (RECOMMENDED LUBRICATION)

MODELS AFFECTED:
ALL 1993 AND PREVIOUS MODEL VEHICLES

Customer comments of binding/sticking door lock cylinders, or keys that are hard to insert or extract may be corrected in many cases by applying the proper lubrication.

The recommended materials for lubricating these components are (in order of preference):

^ GM P/N 12345120 multi purpose lubricant (9 oz. spray) or P/N 12345121 (12 oz.).
^ 5 W 30 Motor Oil
^ GM P/N 1052276 or 1052277 spray type silicone (4.5 oz. or 12 oz. cans).

Penetrating oil type lubricants (such as GM P/N 1052949 or 1052950, WD-40 lubricants) ARE NOT RECOMMENDED because they wash out the original lubrication and eventually evaporate leaving little or no lubricating material. However, if these type materials are used to "unfreeze" or loosen lock cylinder components, refer to steps 2 through 4 listed below for the proper methods of lubricating.

NOTE:
DO NOT REPLACE THE DOOR LOCK CYLINDERS UNTIL AFTER THE LUBRICATING MATERIALS HAVE BEEN USED AND THE CYLINDER REMAINS FROZEN/BOUND.

If door lock cylinders require replacement for any reason, apply a coating of GM P/N 12345120 multi purpose lubricant to the inside of the lock case and the cylinder keyway prior to assembling and installing the cylinder.

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Frozen cylinders due to cold weather may be repaired using the following procedure:

1. Apply heat to the cylinder area with a heat gun while being careful not to damage the painted surfaces.

2. Hold the shutter door open with a paper clip (or similar item) and force air into the cylinder using compressed air and a blow gun attachment.

3. While holding the shutter door open, inject a small amount of lubricant (see above recommendations) into the cylinder.

4. Work the key into the cylinder several times and wipe any excess lubrication residue from the key.

Use applicable Labor Operation number and time allowance for the applicable vehicle and model year.