Door lock won't when door closed

[Savage68]

LaTortuga's (74 Argosy rear door) door lock will not lock unless it is open. When I shut the door and try to turn the key to lock it, it is stopped as if jammed 3/4 of the way there.
If I open the door, I can turn the key until it locks as it is supposed to, but when it is latched (closed), I cannot get the key to turn all the way.

Short of a new lock set, any advice, this could be a showstopper as far as National Parks...
also, removing the old one looks like a lot of fun..

[Foiled Again]

The lock is probably out of alignment with the striker. The door may have sagged or the wind might have caught it one time too many. I'm not familiar with your vintage unit, but there may be adjustments you could make to the lock or the striker plate - or a locksmith could if you're not comfortable doing it.

Hopefully someone with your model might chime in.

Paula

[Savage68]

I just replaced the striker plate, but looks fine, as much as I can see in there...

[68 TWind]

I had issues on my 68 as well. I think Foiled Again is on target and the bolt is not fully extending into the striker plate. If the Alignment is ok you might try what I did. I took my lock apart and cleaned the 40 plus year old grease off the bolt and polished the bolt and also polished the striker plate with Flitz polish on a felt bob with my Dremel tool. After a cleaning and polishing, the door shuts with ease and locks and unlocks with no problems.

[Savage68]

Taking the lock apart, gee that looks like fun. NOT!

Thanks for the advice!

[68 TWind]

There are just 2 screws that hold it to the door. I didn't take the "guts" apart, just sprayed with brake cleaner to power clean all the gunk and the re-lubed with white lithium grease.

[DryFly]

We had the same issue on our Argosy. I took the whole assembly off, cleaned everything up and re-greased the moving parts. Put it back together and 1/2 hour later all works well. This was an easy project, but a word of caution; if something doesn't move easily don't force it. I recall there are 3 screws holding this on (maybe a different lockset?) one of which is kind of hidden.

[Savage68]

Got it out, yuck, 40 year old grease!
I think I see the problem, and yes, it seems the has sagged just enough.
May have to machine the jamb just a bit.

How difficult is it to install a deadbolt on an Argosy?

[Foiled Again]

Lipstick (an old one that isn't wanted by a female in your family) is a good way to measure stuff for cutting. If you're installing drywall, outline the electrical boxes in lipstick, dry fit the sheet pounding the electrical box against the back of the sheet, then pull the sheet off and cut the boxes PERFECTLY. (The residue can be removed with kleenex.) Same for the strike that is hitting the jamb... just a little lipstick on the end of the lock strike. Turn the key til it hits the jamb. Then a little surgery with a Dremel tool and you're good.

Paula

[Savage68]

Many thanx Foiled Again, that is a stellar idea.

[DryFly]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Lipstick (an old one that isn't wanted by a female in your family) is a good way to measure stuff for cutting. If you're installing drywall, outline the electrical boxes in lipstick, dry fit the sheet pounding the electrical box against the back of the sheet, then pull the sheet off and cut the boxes PERFECTLY. (The residue can be removed with kleenex.) Same for the strike that is hitting the jamb... just a little lipstick on the end of the lock strike. Turn the key til it hits the jamb. Then a little surgery with a Dremel tool and you're good.

Paula

Damn! I've been using a tape measure, testing and retesting before cutting, for years. This is too simple. What a great idea! Thanks for a great tip.

[Savage68]

It does now thanks to Foiled Again and Dr.Dremel. We can lock LaTortuga finally!

While removing the gaucho cushions in prep for installing the new water pump-strainer, etc, I noticed the water tank has indeterminate stains, and since we cannot inspect it internally and it isn't kings ransom, we are opting for a new tank.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Savage68

It does now thanks to Foiled Again and Dr.Dremel. We can lock LaTortuga finally!

While removing the gaucho cushions in prep for installing the new water pump-strainer, etc, I noticed the water tank has indeterminate stains, and since we cannot inspect it internally and it isn't kings ransom, we are opting for a new tank.

Make sure the striker pocket has the brass shim in it and that it's still good.

That shim prevents the striker bolt from wearing, which in turn causes other problems.

Andy

[Savage68]

Brass shim?

Where exactly and what does it look like?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Savage68

Brass shim?

Where exactly and what does it look like?

It fits into the striker pocket, and stops the striker bolt from actually touching the stainless steel striker pocket.

It's shaped like a 90 degree angle and is about 1 1/2 inches long.

When installed, you cannot see it unless you look deeply into the striker pocket.

Andy

[Savage68]

I found it on VTS but does it go inside the striker plate?

There was not an old brass anything there when I replaced the badly worn striker.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Savage68

I found it on VTS but does it go inside the striker plate?

There was not an old brass anything there when I replaced the badly worn striker.

That brass plate stops the striker bolt from wear, and mounts on the back side of the pocket.

Andy

[Savage68]

I see it on VintageTrailerSupply, thanks Andy!