Well, every day's a school day I guess. PlusGas duly ordered.
Not sure what has gone on here. That cover plate should just fall off, It only retains the spring and lock. If you are going to force it off just buy a secondhand handle and swap over your lock. Don't buy a plunger it is not needed. The lock is a simple item.
norseman
Well-Known Member
That sounds right, one of the 'improvements' for the '87 model year was to have the ignition key fit the tail-gate lock as well.
Mine was manuf. in June '87 & has just the one key.
norseman
Well-Known Member
Duck-oil
It really is surprising how many people use WD as a releasing agent &/or lubricant when the product was not formulated for either purpose.
Strange one. I have found half a dozen online....all show the ' cover plate' firmly attached the rest of the unit. I'll post a picture tonight.
As for a second hand handle. ..they aren't cheap either and I've not found one that comes with a key yet....which is where this story began!
Assuming the later 4 door handles are the same as mine I could use one of those. But they generally come with a tailgate!
Just realised I had already posted one image of the unit yesterday (1528hrs) but here is a reverse view.....
Attachments
Rather than trying to pry the plate off, get something with a flat head and give the lock barrel a smart smack with a hammer, should pop out.
Yes, I was looking at it earlier, and wondered if it was worth applying a bit of blunt force, but then decided to wait for the Plusgas to arrive, give it a bit of a soak....and then resort to physical violence!
frog hopper
Well-Known Member
I'd be tempted to take the whole lot into a decent locksmith and see what they can do for you. Not the usual shoe repair/battery replacement/phone unlocking type place, but a real old fashioned locksmith.
And WD 40 is useful to have around, but it is really just snake oil, for just about every job there is a better product.
And WD 40 is useful to have around, but it is really just snake oil, for just about every job there is a better product.
I'm hoping I have found a solution... a guy on ebay was selling a tailgate with handle and keys. He has agreed to sell the handle separately for not much more than the price of a new barrel.
Final update and a happy ending to the story.
So, the second-hand one arrived (£45 posted) but had been so carelessly separated from its tailgate that half the components were missing! The guy was very good about returning it, but I was no further forward until I spotted a brand new/with keys (MW8656) version for sale on a Portuguese Land Rover website. From the outside this unit is identical to my original (except for the key slot) and, for £112 fast track delivered (vs nearly £200 here in the UK....how does THAT work?), I was happy to swallow any purist thoughts.
I'm guessing that posting weblinks/advertising is frowned upon, but if anyone needs their website then feel free to PM me.
Having sorted the handle out, I thought I'd replace the tailgate rubber seal today....nightmare....but I'll start another post for that one!
So, the second-hand one arrived (£45 posted) but had been so carelessly separated from its tailgate that half the components were missing! The guy was very good about returning it, but I was no further forward until I spotted a brand new/with keys (MW8656) version for sale on a Portuguese Land Rover website. From the outside this unit is identical to my original (except for the key slot) and, for £112 fast track delivered (vs nearly £200 here in the UK....how does THAT work?), I was happy to swallow any purist thoughts.
I'm guessing that posting weblinks/advertising is frowned upon, but if anyone needs their website then feel free to PM me.
Having sorted the handle out, I thought I'd replace the tailgate rubber seal today....nightmare....but I'll start another post for that one!
Webley1991
Well-Known Member
This is good advice. Don't throw the old unit out yet as it may be possible to cut a key to fit it.
I had a similar problem with the ignition barrel on a 1990s Honda. The original unit had broken, so I got another from a breakers and had a proper locksmith adapt the barrel to fit my existing key. That way the same key used to unlock the car doors still worked with the ignition barrel.
