Door Lock Woes

[AutobahnSHO]

So I bent the key in my driver's side door lock. (Slightly.)

The lock had been getting a little harder to open, when it got cold the other day it's DONE. I'll tear apart the door this weekend, should I be looking at the lock cylinder, or something else?

--Or just get install keyless? I currently open the passenger's side and use the auto-locks, and it opens the driver's side fine.

[Eye of the Tiger]

What is this vehicle?

[the Teuton]

With remote locks on Subarus, you'll need to install an actuator in the driver's door. The driver's door is all mechanical.

Good luck.

[S204STi]

If your hard key won't open the door it could be either the lock cylinder or the mechanism at the latch.  I'd start with a good penetrating lube like PB blaster.  Apply it by inserting the straw into the cylinder and soaking it nicely.  Let it sit and then use a good key that isn't worn out to try to open it.  One thing to consider is that worn keys are a prime cause of inop lock cylinders as well.

[AutobahnSHO]

It's a key cut last year, works fine on the other door, rear, and ignition.

Teuton, what do you mean? It has power locks already?!
(I think I know why they would be crazy though- a locksmith years ago struggled and struggled to get into my 78wagon when I locked the keys in. Turns out you could ONLY bust into the rear driverside door.. )

[rohan]

Every single charger we've had regardless if it was a test mule or a fleet car the driver side (the only one on the damned car) door lock breaks so you can't unlock the car with the key.  They fix them without a problem but we've had to have wreckers unlock our doors dozens of times.  It's the one thing I absolutely hate about these cars.

[J86]

Oof, I broke the key off the in the door of my 1993 Legacy.  I then let it stay in there for a month or so before trying to remove it... BAD IDEA.  It corroded so badly that my only recourse would have been to get a new lock cylinder.  Definitely tackle it as soon as you can!

[AutobahnSHO]

Surprisingly enough, I wiggled it and it KINDA works. I'm being careful, and usually using the passenger's side.

We get a 4-day weekend this week, I think I'll take the door apart and see what's up.

[AutobahnSHO]

since the wifey is gone for the weekend, the subie is finally garage-stabled.
(Half the 2car garage is bikes, coolers, etc...)

It's also been pretty warm, i found some graphite lube and hit the lock in question pretty good. I worked it a lot with both keys I have- surprisingly it works great now unlocking but half the tries locking didn't work out so well. (good thing I've NEVER locked a car with the key...)

I'll try to nurse it along until I get around to pulling it all apart and putting a new lock on.