Do you lube lock mechanism
 

I know it seems like a no brainier but I have my door panel removed to do a lock mechanism repair. I want to lube the parts as they are dry. If it was my driver car i wouldn't ask but this is an 86 and it will be around for another 25 years so will lube attack the plastic parts?

If I lube these joints do I use:
a) 10W 40
b) lithium spray grease
c) silicone lube

Do I spray lube up onto the door latch and back of door handle mechanism ? This would mean getting lube on interior door paint and window slides etc. etc. see picture 2

Door lock mechanism

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1320976048.jpg

Door Handle inside door

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1320976377.jpg

I would lube with White lithium grease

When I did this job, I used P B Blaster to penetrate and clean. Then wiped it all out and sprayed with white lith. grease.
Boy was it ever stinky in the car for weeks? the smell of P B Blaster was thick for too long. On the up side, the door is working better than ever since I've had the car.

Cheers Richard

definitely Tri-Flo. All locksmiths recommend it. Get it at your local locksmith if you can't find it at Lowe's.

White litho for sure

IM(limited)E the major issue with those parts is corrosion, not lubrication. Try TC11 or CorrosionX; they're both lubricants of a sort, but are optimized to protect the metal.

I use Wurth HHS 2000, best stuff, PERIOD!!

+1 for the lithium grease I use it as a general lubricant most of the time when there is nothing specific listed, for hinges, pivots, moving pars etc.

I was hoping for someone to comment on the issue of interactions of lubricants and the plastics that are part of the lock mechanism.

Will the lubes "lithium" break down the plastics over the long term?

Interesting question, I have never really though about it but I would think that it would not but i understand your fear. If you were really worried you could use a graphite based dry lube.

petroleum grease might do that - may depend on how long term is defined as the plastic will slowly lose its plasticizers, harden, become brittle and fragile over the decades anyway

I "invested" in a can of Wurth HHS-2000 and use it on all 3 of my vehicles for seat sliders, inside the door, etc. -- it has lasted my 5 years or more.

the spray will make it easier to penetrate into narrow crevices

Be sure to do everything you can think of while the door interior is opened up - adjustments; clean drain holes out, rust proofing, any stereo additions or upgrades, yada yada

Lithium grease is okay, but it's also water soluable.

For hard-to-reach lube areas, I suggest spray can motorcycle chain lube. The carrier allows access to and penetration of the parts, but evaporates leaving behind a coating of lubricant that remains in place.

BTW, for lock mechanisms, avoid liquid lubes. Instead, use dry lubes like graphite or equivalent to minimize attracting dirt and dust which will soon clog up the works.

Sherwood

Yes!! I agree with the motorcycle chain lube on door slides, mechanisms, etc. It leaves a nice waxy, lubricating film I've always thought.

Not sure I can get the HHS-2000 here. That company also has a chain lube and I see from there youtube video that it also evaporates and leaves a waxy lubricant

I'll check out the availability but looks like a good chain lube might be my best bet.

Amazon has it, they have everything.. Yes, it does cost more, but it "really" is that much better... When I was a rep for a chemical company we carried a lot of the different lubes among our lines(including TriFlo, which I am also a fan of,for my bicycles. even though I got great deals (and still have a lot of the product), I still bought HHS 2000 from a Wurth rep buddy, and came very close to going to work as a rep for them.


http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?keywords=wurth%20hhs%202000&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=4290138029&ref=pd_sl_1i79qveur q_e&rd=1