as the title states. my drivers side handle broke and im swapping the lock cylinder to my new handle. while its out i would like to do "maintenance" on the lock cylinder if i could.

 

Just get a new lock cylinder. They're not that expensive. Then take it to a locksmith and get it cut. I bought a brand new door handle and lock cylinder from Mazda last year and I don't regret it.

 

if you take the little flap cover thing off, and the C clip, the guts will slide out, and you can put some grease on the backside, and it'll be better than new.

i suggest you do this over a clean rag, there are some little parts in there that you don't want to loose

 

there's a teflon spray, similar to WD-40. Spray some inside the cylinder and it'll make turning the key smooth as butter. WD-40 will work for this, but the teflon will last considerably longer.

I did this to my passenger side last year, still smooth.

 

use "dry type" lube fore all door locks. spray it in and it will turn smooth like butter.