Hi George, hi Volks,

On Wed, 1998-08-05 15:44:23 -0400, George Arfken wrote:

> ...
> I'm replacing a broken sliding door handle on a '82 Vanagon and would
> like to switch the lock cylinders so that the same key works all locks.
> I can't figure out how remove the cylinders.

Been there, done that just recently :-).   Though it was an '88 Vanagon,
but I don't think, this door handle has changed much.  Anyway: there's a
little screw without head on the underside of  the door handle where the
handle sits  in the  door.  This  screw is camouflaged  (erm ...  sorry:
fixed :-)  with   paint (normally with  black  paint,   just  for better
camouflage :-).  First thing to  do when dealing  with cylinder locks is
always  to insert the key.  Else  you will be amazed  just  how fast all
these little thingies that make  a lock a lock will  pop up and away all
over the place  :-).  Ok, when you've inserted  the key and removed this
headless screw you can  insert some sort of  bolt into the boring at the
end of the cylinder and apply some gentle force to get the cylinder out.
You  can't ruin anything  here, the  sole  purpose of that  boring is to
insert something in order to remove the cylinder.

When you have the  cylinder out I would  at  least clean it  thoroughly.
You slowly   and  carefully draw out the   key  and remove these  little
what-do-ya-call-its (ye  know, these little  gadgets which make a lock a
lock) one at a  time.  Carefully  clean them  using ultra  fine grinding
paper.  AND THEN LAY THEM DOWN ON THE TABLE IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU LATER
KNOW WHICH ONE GOES INTO WHICH SLOT OF THE CYLINDER!   And keep the kids
away!  The last time I did that I did it at my friendly local VW dealer,
and he adviced  me to also change  these little springs and  offered the
replacements at no cost. :-)

Hope that helps.

Sincerely
 Rainer

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