What to lube door latch with

[Broncobowsher]

I have been fighting stiff door latches for a while now. Finally pulled the first door off and took it all apart. Everything looks dry. Going to run the parts through a solvent tank tomorrow and get everything nice and clean.

the question come up with what should I lube the latch, door handle, etc. with? Being in Arizona nasty abrasive dust is a problem, so I am a little leary of grease as it will probably just collect the dust and make an abrasive goop. Graphite probably won't have the durability I am looking for. Probably wash off too quickly.

So any idea what I should lube the latch with? Don't want something that attracks dirt, want it to stay for a long time, not wash off, last a long time. Not very demaning am I?

 

[j.r.nice]

I have been fighting stiff door latches for a while now. Finally pulled the first door off and took it all apart. Everything looks dry. Going to run the parts through a solvent tank tomorrow and get everything nice and clean.

the question come up with what should I lube the latch, door handle, etc. with? Being in Arizona nasty abrasive dust is a problem, so I am a little leary of grease as it will probably just collect the dust and make an abrasive goop. Graphite probably won't have the durability I am looking for. Probably wash off too quickly.

So any idea what I should lube the latch with? Don't want something that attracks dirt, want it to stay for a long time, not wash off, last a long time. Not very demaning am I?

I think white lithium is the best thing. I agree that graphite wont last.

I'm wondering if one of the breakfree (nuts/bolts) type products would be the best in your situation. If you got abrasives in it you could just flush it with more. I'll see what I have in the garage. I can see the can, but cant put a name on it.

 

[deltarat]

Clean them well and use white lithium and they will work good as new if you adjust them right.

 

[trailpsycho]

What about high-end bicycle lube. I believe its a couple of levels above white lithium, it 'dries' so there is not greasy residue to allow dust to accumulate. A budy of mine builds very high end bikes, so I can ask him about it. Its not cheap, but might be a good option. I was going to hit him up for some for mine.

 

[tobinj]

What about motorcycle chain grease, it holds up awesome and it gets hard so it shouldn't collect anything. Don't know if it will work or not just a thought.

 

[ugly74]

I use a gun oil called "Breakfree CLP" on door hinges. I don't normally like wet lubricants that might attract dirt, but this stuff is awesome. I use an aerosol graphite (sprays on wet, but dries fast) on the latches and window regulators.

 

[AZMike]

When I almost had to crawl in through the liftgate at work one day, I decided it was time to do this. I just completed mine 2 weekends ago. I used white lithium grease. So far, so good

 

[Broncobowsher]

I got one latch out, gave it a bath is the solvent tank. As I will be lubing what is inside the door, not just the part on the outside, I am looking for the long term lube. The white lithium is a good lube, but I think it is a little short lived for what I am looking at doing.

Based on the suggestions here and from co-workers I am down to 2 ideas. Motorcycle chain wax that I already own and some dry lube that I don’t (latter being the fancy bicycle chain lube)

As a side note, the latching mechanism is fairly interesting. After playing with it for 10 minutes I can understand where some of my problems could be from. How a tab slides over to unlock the door when you close it unless the button is pressed (I think I could defeat that if I wanted to). Why I can’t unlock the door if the outside latch is binding a bit. Why the outside button is so hard to press and why it sticks (I really should replace the outside handles due to wear).

Hopefully I will have the doors back up and running in a few days. Mechanically they should be fine, No rust is another good part. I’ll weld up the fatigue cracks and hope it lasts a few more years until I need to open them again.

 

[scsm76]

I have been using motorcycle chain lube haven't had to relube them for about six years. Definitly do not use WD40 or anything else that freezes if you live in a colder area.

 

[ugly74]

no matter the lube you assemble them with, you'll still need to go back periodically and squirt somethin at 'em.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I got home today and went to lube the cleaned latch. Then I realized I left the chain lube in the International water truck parked at my uncles.

I haven't had the door panels off since I painted the truck 5 years ago, I hope the chain wax lasts that long. As for the part that hits the striker, I can Lithium that a time or two a year. It's the stuff inside the door I am trying to lube for a long time.

And I still need to make a run to the parts store for some of those plastic rod clips...

 

[TJK74]

This is what i use
http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/amh.aspx
Also use it on all my suspension components, bushings, sleeves and bolts or anything that I dont want to rust up.