Door locks and keys

[69280sl]

The door key I have works only on the passengers side, so apparently the drivers side lock was changed and there is no surviving key.
It is a pain to unlock the pass side and lean over to open the driver's door from the inside (and vice=versa when locking).

I want to have the drivers side lock re-keyed to use the key I have.

I seem to remember reading that the door locks can be removed from the outside without even having to remove the inner panel. Despite searching the archives I cannot find anything on this. If correct, can someone please outline the steps to do so.

Thanks,
Gus

inspectorgm

68 280sl, signal red/ beige/black softtop

[ja17]

Hello Gus,

Open the door so you view the side of the door. The bolt that holds the door handle on is on the side and in line with the door handle. You should see a large phillips screw, near the rubber molding.  Remove the screw then with the plam of your hand or a rubber mallet, jab the handle forward and it should release. The front attachment is keyhole shaped and releases when pushed forward.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[psmith]

Is it possible to swap just the lock cylinders?  My drivers door and trunk use the same key, but passenger door has a different one.

Pete S.

[enochbell]

As long as the cylinder in the driver's side is the same type (i.e., it has the same number of pins) as the passenger's side, you can fix this problem.  You will need to open both tumblers and then, using the "good" one as a model, determine the order in which the pins are arranged.  Rearrange the pins in the driver's side tumbler to match and voila, you're a locksmith.

Best,

g

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[ted280sl]

With all of this technical information availale I was hoping someone could help me open a lock at a bank down the street from me.
Ted w/o enough money for al of the upgrades I would like