5 replies to this topic

[The Reverand]

Howdy everyone. Enjoying the snow?..........me neither.

Right. This morning when going to work my door locks frozen stiff and after some de-icer I finally got them to work again. So I had this little idea (which might be flawed or impossible) of using the locking mechanism and handles off a newer car and installing it on the mini. It would be a bit of a pain to modify but is it a good idea or just pointless?

Has anyone tryed it?

Your thoughts.

Edited by The Reverand, 20 December 2010 - 05:01 PM.

[1964Woody]

Freezing door locks are not just a mini problem. Rather than changing your door locks consider an electronic locking system designed for the Mini that will be isolated from water and other liquids that could freeze up the system. Also, keep you locks properly 'lubricated' with dry graphite lock lubricating powder. Never use WD40, anti-freeze or other such liquids in the locking mechanism- it will work fine for a while until the liquid you have introduced attracts dirt and bogs up or freezes again. To 'unfreeze' a stuck lock you should use methyl hydrate which will evaporate off totally once it has done its job (methyl hydrate is also known as Methanol, methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits depending on where you are). Methyl hydrate also is used a gas line anti-freeze (50 ml./tank)

[evansisgreat]

It has been done, I think more for looks though. I can't remember what handles were used but if you have a good dig an do lots of searching you should find it.
As said above though' all locks can freeze. You could always get door poppers.

[pikey7]

poppers will not help in the slightest. the door is a "wet area" meaning it is not sealed to the outside elements. it's pretty much impossible to attain this anyway if you have sliding windows! You'll find that 99.9% of all cars are like this. Also, one part of the lock that can freeze is the catch itself. It's on the outside of the door and again can never be isolated.

Using poppers all you are doing is creating a problem for yourself if they fail. With no mechanical "backup" you'll just get stranded.

If you basically keep the lock lubricated properly, as Woody has said, with a dry graphite lube (look in the bike department at halfords for chain lube) and also use a decent quality silicon lube (not WD40.. i've had that freeze on me) in the other places to repell the moisture, and also use the same silicon lube on the door seals (just wipe on with a rag), then it's about as good as you'll get regardless of which handle you've fitted.

[Body stylist]

different locks are quite common on minis, mainly green ones ...

[Ethel]

The Mini's old sticky out, metal, handles may be more prone to freezing, but at least it also means you can attack them better with a heat source (fag lighter).