thanks Robert.  I have one, my first, and almost certainly my last.  Sure, I could depress the button, and squirt a little graphite into the opening.  Should work.  DMc

---- Robert Fisher <garciasghostvw@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> I too have often heard that you shouldn't put anything into a lock as well, and I have also used graphite effectively in house locks; however those aren't subject to the same environment (I'm thinking grease/oil) that you get out on the road.
>
> It sounds like maybe you need to lube the outside of the cylinder/button and not the lock itself. I don't see a problem with that.
>
> How many Westies do you have, anyway?
>
> Cya,
> Robert
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
> Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 5:11 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Holy cow: rear hatch latch
>
> Sometimes when I depress the lock cylinder to open the rear hatch on my camper, the cylinder sticks in the depressed position.  It will pop back out when I close the hatch, usually.  Occasionally I have to bump the hatch adjacent to the lock.  Is this due to a need for lubrication, and if so, what lubricant do I use?  I have had locksmiths tell me not to lube a lock with anything, including graphite, claiming any lubricant would cause the lock to hold dirt.   On the other hand, I have used graphite to great advantage so far as I could tell.  Suggestions?  Thanks, David McNeely
>
> ---- jon <jon@KENNEKE.COM> wrote:
> > I'm sharing this experience, so maybe someone can benefit:
> >
> > I went to open the rear hatch on my project westy today. It would not
> > open. No big deal, I thought, I'll just pop it from the inside. Installing
> > a new interior panel with the original project at hand, so there was no interior
> > panel.
> >
> > I could not get the "cam" to budge! I finally had to soak the mechanism in
> > oil, and then use a screwdriver and small hammer to pound the latch cam
> > from the inside to release. Wow, that took some doing, with scratched arms
> > and hands!
> >
> > When it finally popped, I pulled the whole corroded assembly out, cleaned
> > it, and oiled it. Since I had it out I also fixed the worn lock cylinder
> > (which is a whole 'nother subject/story).
> >
> > So, the moral of this story is to make sure that latch assembly is well
> > lubricated if you have the chance!
> >
> > Jon