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Subject:Re: Problem with lock cylinder?
From:Scott Ohana
Date:Mon, 8 Jul 2013 14:04:06 -0700

it's completely normal to have to wiggle the streering wheel a little to
get the key to turn to unlocked position ..
on most cars even.

and ..how much have things been lubed?
People can be weird about lubing lock cylinders.
I have been lubing them on hundreds of cars for decades..always with
fine results.

any mechansim 'never lubed' ..what happens is ....the metal pieces
contact each other ..then they sheer molecules of metal off each surface.
Any form of half-decent lube prevents actual contact......thus
eliminating or really slowing down wear.
I am sure there are countless 28 year old lock cylinders on vanagons and
other cars that have never seen the tiniest bit of lube since the factory.
That is not good for them.

same for the big pin that locks the steering..
for sure that never gets lubed..
even by sneaking in some good penetrating spary lube.
And lube applied in the right spots only helps.
( or the horn contact ring while we are in that area )

metal wears when there is metal-to-metal contact.
the whole purpose of lubricationis to prevent actual metal-to-metal contact,
on any spot or piece that moves in concernt with other parts....they
benefit immensely from some lube.
Like duh....'somehow' so many people don't seem to see that.
Youcan spend $ 10,000 at a shop and they'll never lube the most basic
things just crying out for it.
and it takes but seconds too.
Riddle me that Batman.

there are about 3,000 spots on vanagons to lube in my world.
95 % of them never get any.  Beats me why ..it's so easy, and almost
free, and so rewarding.

????

On 7/8/2013 1:54 PM, Gilles H Turmel wrote:
> Hi,
> Sometimes I have a problem unlocking the steering. The ignition key won’t turn. I have to play with the sterring to get it to work. Should I change the lock cylinder or the steerring lock itself? If I change the lock cylinder, can a locksmith change the barrel so I can continue using my original keys?
> Best regards.
> Gilles Turmel
>