In a message dated 11/13/01 7:27:42 PM, jbrschawn@EARTHLINK.NET writes:

<< How does one remove the rear lock cylinder from the hatch? ..does the
entire

latch mechanism need to come out of the door?  >>

Dave,

Remove interior panel, remove center fastener of latch, remove lock.

It has been my experience with the Vanagon locks that the dirt (probably pot
metal dust from the wearing away of the lock cylinder housing) is compacted
into recesses which are unreachable by any solvent or lubricant applied
through the keyway.  Also, oxidation has taken its toll.  The only way to
effectively clean and rejuvenate the innards of the lock cylinder is to
disassemble it.  Although it is not a complicated assembly, the component
parts are small, so you will have to decide for yourself whether or not you
can work on that scale.  The benefit of disassembly is that it allows you to
inspect all the parts.  Sometimes, a spring for a wafer will be broken or
rusted away to nothing.  In the likely event that you have no spares with
which to replace a broken spring, just remove that wafer, the key will still
work fine without it.

Rich