Remove door handle without lock?

[efm-7]

Good evening folks, I'm currently in the process of doing bodywork on my doors.

I am trying to take the door handle off but I do not have the key that operates the lock. While I can loosen the door handle, the turning rod is preventing me from freeing the door handle.



I was going to take this door handle off along with the other door handle and trunk lock to have them re-keyed by a locksmith to match my ignition key. (The key situation on this car is an absolute mess, the PO obviously got a different ignition assembly with a key)

What are my options? I'm really hoping I don't have to take the whole doors to the locksmith (car is not in a drivable state)

[cho]

hi mate

few days ago I had to remove my lock and I had the key for it,..
similar construction (mine is coupe w126) only thing that I observed is some
kind of plastic holder/cap which is in your way on the end of rod,

I heard from the guy helping me removing mine that some folks had to
rip a lock from it as they did not have the key also,but I assume that
is very scary maneuver as the part is plastic.

Only function of that part is just that one, to prevent taking lock from the
car without proper keys. so if you tear those plastic caps with small hole in it
the lock will be fully functional but without that one "security" option.

but please be aware,I m not a locksmith and this is just my observation
and I may be wrong...
if I had to choose what to do i.e if it is mine car I would call a locksmith
to drop by or I would take the doors to him.


edit: those locks inside are pretty simple ( a body and several brass numbered parts) so if you have some "skilled neighbor" I guess he can
easily help you with them....

.

[efm-7]

Thanks, i'll have a closer look at that white cap at the end of the rod, I was afraid to pull too hard in fear of ruining the whole mechanism, but if that cap's only purpose is to hold the end of that rod then i might just cut it out somehow.

[charmalu]

I can`t help you with the lock removal...but the main problem is the Ignition tumbler and key do not match the VIN # of the vehicle. right?

If that is the problem, go to the dealer with proof of ownership, IE drivers lic, registration etc... they can get you a Tumbler and one key that matches your VIN.

Why have a Lock Smith rekey the whole car to match the odd ball Ignition tumbler and key? what happens if you loose the keys, you can not get a new one from the dealer, how will they match it? to what?

Charlie

[cho]

Originally Posted by efm-7

Thanks, i'll have a closer look at that white cap at the end of the rod,

my are black

.

[efm-7]

Well, after lubricating the driver door mechanism, it turns out that the key actually also matches the driver's door.

So here's the deal

Key matches:
Ignition
Driver door

Key doesn't match:
Passenger door,
Glove box,
Trunk lid

I have no idea what the history of this car is or what's original to it. The PO told me it has a newer engine and from the looks of it, an automatic that was converted to manual. And the paint has a couple layers of different paint. I definitely don't trust the odometer because the mismatched speedo cable that was disconnected from the tranny and tied up with ripped up pieces of denim.

[cho]

Originally Posted by charmalu

If that is the problem, go to the dealer with proof of ownership, IE drivers lic, registration etc... they can get you a Tumbler and one key that matches your VIN.

this is the nice tidy and possibly only permanent/correct solution.

.

[efm-7]

Again, no idea what matches the actual VIN of the car.

Also, this is a "budget" build starting from a car that was "Parked since 2008, ran when parked".
Couldn't be any further from "correct" haha

[rscurtis]

What are my options? I'm really hoping I don't have to take the whole doors to the locksmith (car is not in a drivable state)

Forget that option. You have no idea on what is involved to remove and install a door on one of these, and do it properly.

[efm-7]

Doors have been off the car and in my basement for months, so whatever challenges I may face in reattaching the doors, I will face anyways.

[efm-7]

Well I got my door back from the locksmith and they did a great job. Now I'm able to take the door handle off.

The girl at the counter had trouble cutting me a copy of my key though, she wasted two blanks and the best she could do was a key that worked on the door cylinder but not the trunk. I'll go back with the whole car (one day) and make sure the key they cut works on everything