Door locks

[bhwhite]

I am replacing the door locks on my 1973 corvette. I have the key cylinder through the door and cannot get the retainer onto the cylinder. Is there an easy way to do this?
Bruce

 

[The73vetteman]

In a word, no.

A few months back I did a search of the CAC forums on door lock problems and found that many people have struggled with this. The consensus seemed to be that you need a wife or female friend with very long thin fingers.

Some one said that there is no Vette problem that can't be solved with $100 bills, but this might just be the exception.

Let us know if you find a trick that works!

'73

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I used a pair of long nosed pliers that I usually use for getting fish hooks out of Pike and other toothy fish.The jaws are about 4" long.

It was pretty easy to hold onto the tab on the clip and slip it onto the lock cylinder. I was actually surprised at how easy it was to slip it under the shoulder of the lock cylinder. Once it was on the shoulder a firm pressure was all that was needed to seat the clip up all the way.

Pete.

 

[bhwhite]

I used a pair of long nosed pliers that I usually use for getting fish hooks out of Pike and other toothy fish.The jaws are about 4" long.

It was pretty easy to hold onto the tab on the clip and slip it onto the lock cylinder. I was actually surprised at how easy it was to slip it under the shoulder of the lock cylinder. Once it was on the shoulder a firm pressure was all that was needed to seat the clip up all the way.

Pete.

I purchased a pair of 11 inch needle nose pliers from Auto Zone and that made a big difference. It took me 2 hours and few choice words to get the drivers lock installed. The experience paid off, it only took me 15 minutes for the passenger side.
Thanks for yopur help!!!