Central locking door latch issue
 

Recently, I replaced the connecting rod on the door lock actuator for central locking, as the original ball socket had broken. The new rod worked fine for a week or so, then stopped working. I opened up the door and found that the little ball that fits inside the socket of the actuator arm has come loose from the door latch armature.

Questions: How was it attached originally? It fits in the hole loose enough so that it can swivel as the actuator moves the armature, but something is missing from the back side of it to hold it in place. Secondly, how would you go about reattaching it? I've thought about taking it to a welder who could zap a spot weld on it, but then it wouldn't be able to turn in the hole.

Suggestions? It would be really helpful if someone had a latch out of their car and could tell me what's holding theirs in place. Thanks in advance!

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Shirley someone has an idea...

You stake it with a punch on a vise or something very solid. A center punch with a broad tip should flare that thing out and seat the ball.

That's a good thought, thanks. I'm afraid to whack it with a hammer though, for fear the ball may break off it's thin stem. I'm also not even sure it sticks out far enough on the back side to be able to flare.

how about using a Dremel to cut a small circular groove (or take it to a machine shop) and attach it with a small circlip?

Of course, any suggestions that aren't in line with the actual stock engineering of the part should be considered "jerry rigging"....but the most important thing should be to get the damn thing back on the road.

BTW: have you looked at the PET or a Bentley to see if any pictures or instructions exist? I'm only asking, and don't mean to be insulting. Just trying to figure out every option. ;)

I don't mind jerry rigging (or is it jury rigging) a little thing like this, as long as it's a sturdy repair. I looked at the Bentley, factory WSM, up-fixins and forum searches. I doubt anybody's ever run into this particular problem before :rolleyes:.

When fully seated, the back side is just barely proud of the surface of the armature. So not enough length to cut a groove around it.

I'm tempted to cut off a nail head and JB Weld it on there. That wouldn't allow the ball to swivel, but I'm not even sure it's supposed to, and some lithium grease in the ball socket may make it unnecessary anyway. The question is, would it stand up to the rigors of actual use...

It's kind of a PITA to remove/replace the latch so I'd really like to only do this one time. :) If I have to, I'm prepared to take it to a welder who can tack it on.

It is normally staked in place. Weld it

the correct term is "jerry rigged", which derives it origin from American G.I.'s during WW2 that often came across haphazardly-repaired machinery by the Germans. "Jerry" was a slang term for the Germans during that period.

"Rigging a Jury" is another thing altogether.

Yeah, just put a spot weld on it and be done with it. If it's not to your liking, I guess you could always grind the weld off. I certainly understand not wanting to do anything twice. I usually don't even like doing it once.

Good luck.

Okay, I'm convinced. I'm looking for a welder now.

Thanks for the history lesson, kidrock!