Has anyone ever replaced the spring for the door lock cover? I have the spring but I'm not sure how the cover detaches from the lock cylinder. Does it just pop out with a small screwdiver or do you have to remove the entire lock cylinder from the door to gain access to the back of it?
Must remove lock. Secured by a springy horse shoe clip in line with it under weatherstrip. As I recall the cover is held on by the spring. Its a little fiddely to get the square rod realigned with the hole in the lock assy. when reassembling.
Thanks for the info. But how does the actual lock cover and spring detach from the lock cylinder?
I think the actual spring holds it in. The reproduction lock covers have plastic inisde the ss cover. the original was a potmetal type. the shaft that goes into the lock housing has sort of a slot that the spring locks into. you would not be able to reattach the cover, if you just pryed it from the lock.
Once you removed the horseshoe type spring clip, carefully pull the lock from the door. there is also a part that goes inbetween the lock and the latch. they can easily break or go missing down into the door.
I don't remember if this is drvrs or pssgr side. the linkage part is different LH and RH.
sorry for not providing a better pic. the spring in front has nothing to do with your problem. If you look closely you can actually see the tailend of the cover shaft in the lock housing.
I hesitated to answer because I can't remember how to do this. I've done it several times so it is doable. I remember one of the tools I used was a valve core removal tool. I'll have to dig out an old lock to practice on so I can detail the process. I sent the Raunch Wagon tail gate lock housing out for restoration (PIC).
just looked it up and the 57 Ford time schedule book states 0.6 hrs for replacing a door lock including removal of door panel.
So it suggests panel needs removed for this. obviously either the linkage part or spring is going to fall down into the door if you are not able to reach inside and hold and line them up with the latch mechanism.
found another pic
never mind the tumblers, tailgate lock and all. door lock is to the left. you can see the spring that holds the cover to the lock.