986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - How to Fix Broken Lock Cylinder for 20 Dollars

PorscheFan5 · 03-27-2015, 12:00 PM

A bunch of questions there, lets see if I can answer all of them. I am pasting your last response below and inserting my comments preceded by -->

"My door handle has no problem what so ever. I am able to pull the handle and open the door just fine. The actual lock cylinder spins when I put the key in with no resistance.

Will the ebay item I posted allow me to fix this problem ? Im assuming its a "NO" from your last post - just double checking.

--> Correct. Based on the fact that you can open the door the eBay item wont help you as your lock and plastic piece seem to be ok.

PorscheFan5, I see exactly what you are talking about as far as the "round metal piece with ears" is concerned. The one you got by purchasing the:

"RegulatorFix VW Golf IV Jetta Door Lock Repair Kit - Front (left or right)"

...looks like it has almost an exact match with your version of the "round metal piece with ears" that was originally on your boxster and probably currently on mine.

I will definitely purchase this "kit" so that I can be sure to have that as it seems like a good possibility that my problem could be the same as yours !! (Ears Broken off). Did you have to file that piece at all btw ?

--> No I had to file the base of the paddle piece that mates into this round piece. You will have to check for yourself. My paddle piece would not go in easily (and the spring did not help either!). Please go slowly and document each part where it goes or you will have a tough time putting it together. It is anyways tough.

I also acknowledge from your last post that the actual "Paddle" could be broken, something which nobody seems know where to get, and which none of the VW/Audi "kits" mentioned in the earlier posts seem to match in length and general specifications to our Boxsters. I will have to research around for that piece as well I guess....any help from anyone reading this would be much appreciated btw !!

--> You can cross that bridge when you come to it...:-)

PorscheFan5, I will need your recent expertise to help me understand Perasperas original post in this thread. He hasn't posted in a little while on this thread so I am not sure if he will get on to see this himself any time soon. Specifically, I would like to know what you think about the pieces he mentions that are "usually" the TWO issues that cause this problem:

1. A broken plastic piece (Part 12 on the Auto Atlanta Diagram) <---this looks like a circular piece on the diagram thats listed as part 12. If that is actually the plastic piece that he mentions...where would I get one?

--> This is the plastic piece we have talked about above and the one I showed with the arrow in the picture in my last post. We have established above that you most likely don't need this.

2. A broken metal piece in the lock cylinder, which requires replacing this piece (Part 15 on the Auto Atlanta Diagram) <---Is this the same metal piece with the "ears" that we have been talking about ? I ask because on the link he has posted...the diagram shows this as a screw of some sort?

--> I don't know exactly which piece he meant but I think it will be one of the two pieces most likely - paddle or round piece with ears. If it is the flat washer that slides in, you could also 'fenegle' something using the piece from the kit.

Do you think he may have mentioned the parts backwards? I just want to clear up any confusion.

I am trying to get these two pieces (if one of them doesnt happen to be the same "ears" piece that we have been talking about, if so...then just one piece. I would also like to get the Lock Repair Kit, and possibly an original "Paddle", now that you mentioned it, so that I can have ALL the possible culprits to this problem on hand when I decide to do the repair. I dont think I would like to open it up and then have to close it again and wait for the parts to come in, I would rather just have everything there, and return anything that I dont end up using. Thats why I was asking about an easier solution for the repair when I was trying to find out if I could just buy the entire unit on its own for a good price and avoid doing the smaller repairs myself, in case I messed anything up.

--> I understand where you are coming from and you are preparing the best you can. Note in my case I did not pull the protective cover (stuck with real sticky glue) all the way but only as much as was needed for me to mange my lock repair. Didn't want to add new glue all around. I also did not take out the lock mechanism (your eBay photo) and left it in there while I repaired the lock cylinder mechanism.

And lastly, if there is any extra advice anyone can give, whether its where to find a Boxster "Paddle" or even any kind of diy tips, door removal tips, airbag removal tips, etc....they would all be GREATLY APPRECIATED !!!!

--> Couple of tips from my side:

Take pictures and make notes throughout so you can go back and check

Refer to the Pelican articles and photos. They are very helpful.

My suggestion is to slide glass window all the way down so you don't have that coming in your way. But check for yourself. Do this before you disconnect battery.

Disconnect Battery first! And do not connect is back until you have connected your airbag. Just to avoid a trip to the dealer for removing airbag light...:-)

Order couple of the plastic tabs from Porsche. The tabs that hold the door panel to the metal door. You will find some broken or some will break. I had to replace 2 and had procured 3 in advance.

Take a patience pill or two...:-)

Go get a triple square bit set Item # W1395 from O'Reilly Auto Parts. You will need this to remove the bolts of the lock mechnism (eBay picture). It is not a star bolt. This bit set can be useful at many other places in the Boxster and is a great value for money!

Be careful while removing the side airbag. remove the connector first. It is tricky and you don't want to be doing this while the airbag is dangling...:-)

You will need a 2nd set of hands in many of the steps.

Sorry for the long posts guys.

PorscheFan5, thank you for everything, you're really great !! Im waiting for your advice and guidance, as well as anyone else who may be able to contribute.

--> Hope it helps. Keep us posted. PM me if you have other questions.

Thanks everyone !!"

03-27-2015, 12:00 PM	#10
PorscheFan5 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: California Posts: 246	A bunch of questions there, lets see if I can answer all of them. I am pasting your last response below and inserting my comments preceded by --> "My door handle has no problem what so ever. I am able to pull the handle and open the door just fine. The actual lock cylinder spins when I put the key in with no resistance. Will the ebay item I posted allow me to fix this problem ? Im assuming its a "NO" from your last post - just double checking. --> Correct. Based on the fact that you can open the door the eBay item wont help you as your lock and plastic piece seem to be ok. PorscheFan5, I see exactly what you are talking about as far as the "round metal piece with ears" is concerned. The one you got by purchasing the: "RegulatorFix VW Golf IV Jetta Door Lock Repair Kit - Front (left or right)" ...looks like it has almost an exact match with your version of the "round metal piece with ears" that was originally on your boxster and probably currently on mine. I will definitely purchase this "kit" so that I can be sure to have that as it seems like a good possibility that my problem could be the same as yours !! (Ears Broken off). Did you have to file that piece at all btw ? --> No I had to file the base of the paddle piece that mates into this round piece. You will have to check for yourself. My paddle piece would not go in easily (and the spring did not help either!). Please go slowly and document each part where it goes or you will have a tough time putting it together. It is anyways tough. I also acknowledge from your last post that the actual "Paddle" could be broken, something which nobody seems know where to get, and which none of the VW/Audi "kits" mentioned in the earlier posts seem to match in length and general specifications to our Boxsters. I will have to research around for that piece as well I guess....any help from anyone reading this would be much appreciated btw !! --> You can cross that bridge when you come to it...:-) PorscheFan5, I will need your recent expertise to help me understand Perasperas original post in this thread. He hasn't posted in a little while on this thread so I am not sure if he will get on to see this himself any time soon. Specifically, I would like to know what you think about the pieces he mentions that are "usually" the TWO issues that cause this problem: 1. A broken plastic piece (Part 12 on the Auto Atlanta Diagram) <---this looks like a circular piece on the diagram thats listed as part 12. If that is actually the plastic piece that he mentions...where would I get one? --> This is the plastic piece we have talked about above and the one I showed with the arrow in the picture in my last post. We have established above that you most likely don't need this. 2. A broken metal piece in the lock cylinder, which requires replacing this piece (Part 15 on the Auto Atlanta Diagram) <---Is this the same metal piece with the "ears" that we have been talking about ? I ask because on the link he has posted...the diagram shows this as a screw of some sort? --> I don't know exactly which piece he meant but I think it will be one of the two pieces most likely - paddle or round piece with ears. If it is the flat washer that slides in, you could also 'fenegle' something using the piece from the kit. Do you think he may have mentioned the parts backwards? I just want to clear up any confusion. I am trying to get these two pieces (if one of them doesnt happen to be the same "ears" piece that we have been talking about, if so...then just one piece. I would also like to get the Lock Repair Kit, and possibly an original "Paddle", now that you mentioned it, so that I can have ALL the possible culprits to this problem on hand when I decide to do the repair. I dont think I would like to open it up and then have to close it again and wait for the parts to come in, I would rather just have everything there, and return anything that I dont end up using. Thats why I was asking about an easier solution for the repair when I was trying to find out if I could just buy the entire unit on its own for a good price and avoid doing the smaller repairs myself, in case I messed anything up. --> I understand where you are coming from and you are preparing the best you can. Note in my case I did not pull the protective cover (stuck with real sticky glue) all the way but only as much as was needed for me to mange my lock repair. Didn't want to add new glue all around. I also did not take out the lock mechanism (your eBay photo) and left it in there while I repaired the lock cylinder mechanism. And lastly, if there is any extra advice anyone can give, whether its where to find a Boxster "Paddle" or even any kind of diy tips, door removal tips, airbag removal tips, etc....they would all be GREATLY APPRECIATED !!!! --> Couple of tips from my side: Take pictures and make notes throughout so you can go back and check Refer to the Pelican articles and photos. They are very helpful. My suggestion is to slide glass window all the way down so you don't have that coming in your way. But check for yourself. Do this before you disconnect battery. Disconnect Battery first! And do not connect is back until you have connected your airbag. Just to avoid a trip to the dealer for removing airbag light...:-) Order couple of the plastic tabs from Porsche. The tabs that hold the door panel to the metal door. You will find some broken or some will break. I had to replace 2 and had procured 3 in advance. Take a patience pill or two...:-) Go get a triple square bit set Item # W1395 from O'Reilly Auto Parts. You will need this to remove the bolts of the lock mechnism (eBay picture). It is not a star bolt. This bit set can be useful at many other places in the Boxster and is a great value for money! Be careful while removing the side airbag. remove the connector first. It is tricky and you don't want to be doing this while the airbag is dangling...:-) You will need a 2nd set of hands in many of the steps. Sorry for the long posts guys. PorscheFan5, thank you for everything, you're really great !! Im waiting for your advice and guidance, as well as anyone else who may be able to contribute. --> Hope it helps. Keep us posted. PM me if you have other questions. Thanks everyone !!" Last edited by PorscheFan5; 03-27-2015 at 01:21 PM.