Cleaning / degreasing door latch

[Howard-]

Morning all,

For the second time this week, I've opened my driver's door on a frosty morning and found that it won't shut again... That is, the door latch won't stay in the "closed" position around the door striker.

10 minutes of fiddling with a screwdriver and WD40 and, eventually, a heat gun managed to free it up in order for it to close.


Now I think my fatal error was using Wurth HHS2000 grease in the latches on Monday evening in order to lubricate them (I bought it for another purpose and thought that it might be prudent whilst I'm there)... Evidently this was a stupid idea and it seems a bit coincidental that my problem should occur after doing this.

Apparently this grease, when sprayed, is fine and penetrative, and dries into a stickier grease.


Was I wrong? What should I be using?

More importantly, what can I use to 'clean out' the latch so that it doesn't keep happening? Has this happened to anyone else?



Thanks!

[mauricegb]

I had this a few weeks ago on my 1 Series and found white lithium grease sprayed into the mechanism fixed it. Anything light like WD40 won't last.

[ch427]

WD40 should soften the grease but i would advise to only use oil on locks applied with a squirty type can.

[PositronicRay]

ch427 said:

WD40 should soften the grease but i would advise to only use oil on locks applied with a squirty type can.

This should work.

[snotrag]

It needs oiling, not greasing.

P.S. WD40 is not oil.

[Howard-]

Thanks guys.

What should I spray in there in order to stop it from 'sticking' open again? If I press the latch with a screwdriver to close it, it wouldn't stay latched closed, so I assume whatever little arm/lever that gets pulled up when you pull the handle is getting stuck.

[Howard-]

Any other ideas/insight from anyone?

[Vincefox]

I actually use chain wax, works well and doesnt let go.

[powerstroke]

Howard- said:

Thanks guys.

What should I spray in there in order to stop it from 'sticking' open again? If I press the latch with a screwdriver to close it, it wouldn't stay latched closed, so I assume whatever little arm/lever that gets pulled up when you pull the handle is getting stuck.

Brake cleaner would flush out the grease then motorcycle chain lube or engine oil ,it might need the door card taking off so you can lube the linkage inside the door!!

[Nath1790]

This happened to me for the first time this morning, I was worried that I'd broken something whilst trying to actually open the frozen door in the first place!

I'm going to try clean and oil up the latch mechanism later.

[TooMany2cvs]

Another vote for brake cleaner.

[Howard-]

Brake cleaner is a good shout. It doesn't damage paintwork or electrical contacts does it?

[TooMany2cvs]

Howard- said:

Brake cleaner is a good shout. It doesn't damage paintwork or electrical contacts does it?

Not IME.