Folks,

I have a 1990 745 with a seized tailgate lock. I removed the tailgate panel, unbolted the complete handle, lock and license plate light assembly, disconnected the levers and wires, and removed the complete assembly. Then I removed all the c-clips and washers on the back side of the lock tumbler assembly. The tumbler is corroded solid and I cannot remove it. I surmise that the tumbler is pushed in from the front but it won't push back out. I tried to work the tumbler free from the back but all I managed to do was break off the rear stub on the tumbler. The key cannot be fully inserted into the tumbler. The tumbler is surrounded by a metal sleeve and I don't see how that is held in place (other than salt and dirt between the sleeve and the plastic housing of the tailgate handle assembly. Obviously I have to buy a new lock. So my questions:

- How do I get the old lock out? Drill it out?

- Where is the best place to buy a new lock?

- Can I get a lock that is keyed to my existing locks?

- Does the replacement lock include the outer sleeve or is it just the tumbler?

As usual, all help will be greatly appreciated from this great forum.

Bill

Had the same problem on my 88 740 about 5 years ago.

I cleaned and lubricated all the parts that I could and made sure that the electric lock worked. I then filled the tumblers with epoxy and epoxied a small disk over the key slot.

No one in my family ( four drivers ) has ever complained about losing the rear lock.

James: Here's something to consider: with a properly working tailgate lock, you can turn the key all the way to the left, which DE-activates the normal lock/unlock mechanism, which is useful at those times when you have something large and/or valuable in the rear of your wagon; a thief can break a side window, lift any of the 4 door locks, and the tailgate will NOT be unlocked. An earlier post a few months ago by yet-another resourceful Brickster had details about how he took a Masonite rug protector and cut it to fit over his cargo area, making a key-deactivated tailgate lock doubly effective as a deterrent to 'the curious.' You might want to rethink your strategy, unless it is temporary pending installation of a working lock. That's MY $.02.--PD.

James,

So, you have had the tumbler mechanism out. That's what I want to know. How can I remove the tumbler mechanism to replace it?

Bill

Greetings and salutations Brother Bill,

The Lord hears your plea! According to the book of Haynes, chapter 700, thy should take hold of the Holy Screwdriver of power and the handy mallet of justice. Remove the tailgate trim, place the screwdriver against the clip that retains the lock barrel and use the mallet to tap it sideways to free the lock from the clutches of Lucifers tailgate. The lock can then be lifted clear and (with some holy fiddling) disconnected from the operating rod.

Say ten hail marys and remember the collection plate come Sunday.

Reverend Rich.

Said clip, trim and yon nearby pieces have been flung asunder. Here standith I with handle - lock assemblage in mine hand. I have been smitten by the curse of Sodom and Gomorrah (sp?) and said assemblage has been turned into a pillar of salt and white metal.

I can't budge the lock barrel. Should I just ream it out? Does the replacement lock barrel come with the surrounding sheath?

Pagan Bill (apologies to the faithful if I have mangled biblical history beyond recognition)

Greetings Brother Bill,

I prayed for guidance last night and the answer came to me in a vision. Your lock is either gummed in with dirst and corrosion (which is unlikely) or else a previous owner has had it replaced and done the devils work by pushing it in slightly askew so that it doesn't line up correctly with the slots in the hole. I think the new items do come with the holy sheath of plastic (locks for other makse usually do) but i'm not certain. I'm afraid an excorcism with a hammer or other means of brute force might be in order.

I shall continue my prayers in the hope that you soon see the light (through the hole where your lock once sat).

Reverened Rich.

As long as the electric lock relays hold... You better hope it doesn't go when you're on a trip and have something in the boot, that would really suck. I've had teh central locking system/relay die on my 740t, and would have been really annoyed if I hadn't been able to go manual.

-rt