Door lock

[ronr]

Newly acquired restored 72 swb. Drivers door key only works when door is open. When door is shut you can not push button down or use key. Locksmith checked out cyclinder and said all is ok w/ that part. Any suggestions?????

[stingray72]

I got 2 of these trucks and my dads got 1. None of the locks work for some reason for us so long story short.. I'm subscribing to this thread

[ronr]

Well, maybe someone out there has some useful info......

[taylorde]

my 69' the same problem

[william 70 c/20]

i just changed a door latch on my 70..the mechanism is very simple..if you pull off the door panel and roll up the window you can see what's going on..if i remember correctly, the lock cylinder just rotates and contacts a lever on the door latch to lock/unlock..a rod connects the interior knob to the latch for lock/unlock...and another rod attaches the interior handle to open the door..look inside, i remember it wasn't too complicated...

[stope4]

This may have something to do with door alignment and the way the door latch sits on the door jamb striker. While the door is closed and the key in the lock, try pushing your door to make it close tighter and turning the key at the same time. See if you get movement. Also, reverse procedure and pull door handle and turn key at the same time. Does key and lock move?

Don't know how to fix this. I'm on my second truck and one door on both had the same issue. On the first truck I did everything to try and fix and never could. On the second truck I live with it and push on door and turn key at same time and it locks everytime. Just not going to bother unless someone has a good suggestion.

[Green Machine]

I'm pretty sure that the latch mechanism in the door gets worn enough that the lock arm tab hits the top of the notch instead of going into it. Sometimes the pin gets loose in the latch roller. A good used replacement, or an aftermarket should fix it.

[jhow66]

Green Machine is right. I fix them by welding a washer on the pin then welding the washer to the housing. Then weld up the worn places on the arm tabs and grind back to spec's. If I still have one I will takes some photos .

[ronr]

Thanks, a photo will help.....

[mrein3]

Sort of related...
When I got my truck I got a key that worked the ignition. Nothing for the locks.

About that time I was junking a 1971 Monte Carlo (after stripping it for my Chevelles). I kept the door lock key cylinders. One day I finally got around to swapping them into the truck thinking GM probably used the same part on both vehicles as there were only 1 year apart in manufacture.

They were NOT identical. However upon closer inspection I discovered the little tab on the back of the lock cylinder is removable and custom to the vehicle. After swapping them for the tabs on the truck locks that I did not have a key for I had a functioning pair of door locks.

I do know it is impossible to lock your keys in the truck. If you open the door, push the inside lock button down, and slam the door, the lock button pops up. This is a nice feature in that I've never locked a set in the truck.

Of course, like others have mentioned, the door has to be aligned for it all to work right.

Oh yeah, one more thing. When I got the truck I had to replace the rotating deal at the back of the door that makes contact with the post sticking out of the b-pillar. The door wouldn't stay shut. I bought a used one at a swap meet.

[hd78glide]

My 72 did it too, but I never did look into it. It would work if I pushed on the door while locking it. Unlocking always worked good. As mentioned by others some adjustment is required.

[ronr]

Originally Posted by hd78glide

My 72 did it too, but I never did look into it. It would work if I pushed on the door while locking it. Unlocking always worked good. As mentioned by others some adjustment is required.

I tried pushing in on door and the lock worked. Its going in to a body shop tomorrow for some paint touch up and they said they would adjust door. Thanks for the help.....

[farside847]

Also, the striker (the part that bolts to the back of the cab, not the door) is adjustable in and out. Loosen the bolts and move it a bit, tighten it and try it. Trial by error worked for me. This solves the "I need to push in the door to lock it" problem.

[4x4 70 Chevy guy]

Just got my truck about 2 weeks ago and have the same lock problem. Also I went to get in the truck to fix some wiring and the door handle button broke . So, I took the door panel off to fix and and did and now it doesnt close all the way unless you close it and give a good shove... ? any suggestions?

[4x4Poet]

Keeping a little grease on the striker's contact points helps. Watching the movement of the entire mechanism with the door panel off and good lighting can lead one to the likely slop location.

Also, sight the door's striker pin level as you close the door to see if the striker is being hit at the level that the pin with sit in the trough without binding (abnormally).