simple door lock question
 

You know that flap that keeps water out of the keyhole? Well on the driver side, it broke off. It wasn't a big deal before, the key would still unlock it. But recently the flap thing has shattered and parts of it are stuck way back in there so I can't stick the key in.

I have three options, here they are in order of increasing pain in the ass:

1. I can order a complete replacement kit from mazdatrix, since my ignition lock system is kind of flaky anyway. $190 + shipping, yuck.

2. I can try to find a complete lock set with keys from someone on these forums that has a parts car. (if the price is right, I'll bite)

3. I can swap the driver side and passenger side locks (I think that will work) and have the passenger side not unlockable from the outside. Wouldn't bother me too much.

4. I can take the driver side lock out and open up the mechanism, clearing the junk out of there.

Before I get started, does anyone know if I can open the lock up as in no. 4 and clear the stuff out? Will the pins all come falling out with no hope of putting them back in properly?

Any help here would be much appreciated.

I personally would just replace the key cyl, and have it re-keyed to match your existing key. Its only $45 from Mazdatrix.

If there are broken parts, chances are there are a lot more worn parts inside.

That'd be a fine solution and one that I didn't consider, but if there's any way to open that lock up I'd like to try that first. I have recently spent more money on the car than it's blue book value, and another measly $45 might put the fiancee right over the edge :) If I can get the lock to work, I'll use that until it completely craps out.

LOL...I see that we suffer from the same affliction. Luckily, though, I don't have a fiancee to keep me in check :cool:

I took mine apart and made a new plastic piece from a Pringles can lid.
Be careful not to loose the tiny springs.
A little clean & lube and it works.
(Passenger side next.)

Read this thread and especially every word that Asherwood writes: https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=53074

Asherwood is my door lock hero. Be sure to put a large white rag under the lock as you disassymble it. There is a small spring and small ball bearing to contend with. There is a chance that you can fix it. What have you got to lose but some time?

Read this thread and especially every word that Asherwood writes: https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=53074

Asherwood is my door lock hero. Be sure to put a large white rag under the lock as you disassymble it. There is a small spring and small ball bearing to contend with. There is a chance that you can fix it. What have you got to lose but some time?

Don't ask me for any advice on this. I've done it twice and it ranks right up there with doing any work under the dash. Not something I care to do. But it was satisfying to get a lock off another car and make it work on mine using my keys.

Thanks for all the replies!

I took the panel off, unscrewed the handle bolts, unclipped the plastic latch rod holder and was all ready to go when I noticed that the rod that is connected to the lock was all jimmy rigged with like wire holding it together. I did not want to fuck with that, I know I'd break my shit and I was doing this in my parking lot at work on a tight schedule. I'll take another stab at this later. I don't have high hopes of taking the lock apart without messing it up, but what can you do :)