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Thread: replacing door locks on E36

  1. #1
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    replacing door locks on E36

    Is there an easy way to replace the door locks on a 1997 E36 328i sedan,
    or does one have to take the interior door panel apart,
    and/or remove the window?

    Is a good DIY available?

    Thanks!

  2. #2
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    If you mean the door outside door handle....there is no easy way. Its a major pain. The door latch on the side of the door is a bit easier. Both require you to take the door panel off. The outside door handle requires you to take the glass out. The door latch can usually be fished out without removing the glass.

    Bentley has a section on it but the pics aren't the greatest.

  3. #3
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    Thanks for your response,
    though it is not cheery news.
    However, a non-functioning door lock
    is even a less pleasant prospect.

    Best regards,

  4. #4
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    Door lock do not fail normally. (unless you have damage to the key set) Check to see if the levers are disconnected. You will save yourself 4 hours of work, but you still have to remove the door panel.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by gc325is View Post
    Door lock do not fail normally. (unless you have damage to the key set) Check to see if the levers are disconnected. You will save yourself 4 hours of work, but you still have to remove the door panel.
    Door locks fail all the time. The wafers inside get worn or the handle frame breaks its very common on these cars. Ive replaced both door handle/lock assemblies on my coupe and two of the four on my sedan.

  6. #6
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    Do I understand correctly that
    if one just wants to replace the door lock cylinders,
    there still no easy way...without taking out the window, etc?

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by orpheus View Post
    Do I understand correctly that
    if one just wants to replace the door lock cylinders,
    there still no easy way...without taking out the window, etc?
    Unless you find a set of lock cylinders from another e36 (and a key,) the only way to get replacements is to buy the whole door latch assembly that comes with lock cylinders already installed, keyed to your car.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by flyfishvt View Post
    Door locks fail all the time. The wafers inside get worn or the handle frame breaks its very common on these cars. Ive replaced both door handle/lock assemblies on my coupe and two of the four on my sedan.

    I thought most owners use the remote to lock/ unlock and activate the alarm. The new cars don't even have a key lock on the passenger side anymore.

    The DIY section has a good write up on replacing door handle and the key. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=709257
    Last edited by gc325is; 03-02-2011 at 10:51 PM.

  9. #9
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    Thanks for your guidance on this!
    Questions well answered.

  10. #10
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    Why are your door locks non-functioning? Is it a bad key or are the tumblers not turning in the cylinder?

    I'm in the middle of a door handle swap on my 97 328is. I got a replacement handle here in the 'for sales' but it didn't come w/ a key. To get the tumbler out of the handle you have to insert the key so the waffers line up. I ended up using a small screw driver on the replacement handle to gently position each of the waffers so I could pull it out. Worked like a charm and saved a few bucks from a locksmith.

    I lubed up the original tumbler from my old handle and slid it in the replacement handle. Now the key rotates like new. Nice and smooth.

    If your existing key works but the tumblers are difficult to turn, maybe a nice cleaning and lube would fix you up. To get the tumblers out while the handle is in the door could be a bit of a challange but, I don't think it's impossible. I would even bet the window could stay in the door and attached. I'd still suggest pulling out the rear window guide to give you some room to work. It's pretty tight in there.
    Last edited by lynxms17; 03-04-2011 at 10:07 AM.

  11. #11
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    Existing key works but the tumblers are difficult to turn,
    so I will try some graphite powder initially,
    as the other options are more difficult and costly.
    Thanks!

  12. #12
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    same situation but i missed the part about gently removing the tumbler, my technique was a flathead and a ballpin hammer. thinkin it was just stuck in the handle, i f'd up bigtime i guess maybe just got get another handle for $20? unless anyone else has a better idea. my bentley manual didnt even shine 1/2 page on this. tryin to finish this while the suns still out.... help?

  13. #13
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    Cryptic DIY above is really good. I made a DIY on this as well - maybe it will help:

    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1587136
    Check out my M Roadster projects and DIYs:
    Cooling system part 1: https://youtu.be/ERqztIL1DPw
    Cooling system part 2: https://youtu.be/-DnclDkn2hI
    Power convertible top: https://youtu.be/KLYNqkCBh_M
    Head unit removal: https://youtu.be/LKe9fPKrAqE

  14. #14
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    i checked out most of the DIY's on here for removing/replacing the tunbler, but none said how to without the old key, except for a wizard who can use a small screwdriver, but im not that guy, i should just take this to a locksmith then?

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by evanellakb View Post
    i checked out most of the DIY's on here for removing/replacing the tunbler, but none said how to without the old key, except for a wizard who can use a small screwdriver, but im not that guy, i should just take this to a locksmith then?
    I removed it without the old key. The thing that actually holds the old tumbler in place is the large waffer in the front. Just insert a key from your car into it. It should go in at least 1/4 of the way, but this will be enough to lower the first waffer and will allow you to remove the tumbler. I have a broken door handle with a tumbler laying around, so I will do this tomorrow and post pics. You should be able to figure it out though. Just make sure that the pin in the back of the tumbler is out
    Check out my M Roadster projects and DIYs:
    Cooling system part 1: https://youtu.be/ERqztIL1DPw
    Cooling system part 2: https://youtu.be/-DnclDkn2hI
    Power convertible top: https://youtu.be/KLYNqkCBh_M
    Head unit removal: https://youtu.be/LKe9fPKrAqE

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by evanellakb View Post
    i checked out most of the DIY's on here for removing/replacing the tunbler, but none said how to without the old key, except for a wizard who can use a small screwdriver, but im not that guy, i should just take this to a locksmith then?
    I recently did this on a spare set I have laying around. No keys. I don't know if they later upgraded the design, but all I had to do was hammer out a locking pin at the back or the barrel and it slit right out.

    Took about 30 seconds.
    1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiί III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
    SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • OBC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL

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  17. #17
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    got the roll pin out, the tumbler wont accept a key, not even 1/4 turn, im thinkin about getting a 1" bit and drilling the whole effing thing out cus theres nothing moving inside the tumbler because like an ass i just went at it like it SHOULD just fall out, but why is it not..... im SOL rite now

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by MParallel View Post
    I recently did this on a spare set I have laying around. No keys. I don't know if they later upgraded the design, but all I had to do was hammer out a locking pin at the back or the barrel and it slit right out.

    Took about 30 seconds.
    I think you have a newer design then. The older one has the extra wafer just to keep the tumbler in place.

    Aside from using a random key, you can also use a flat electronics screwdriver and press the first wafer down. That should allow you to remove the tumbler.
    Check out my M Roadster projects and DIYs:
    Cooling system part 1: https://youtu.be/ERqztIL1DPw
    Cooling system part 2: https://youtu.be/-DnclDkn2hI
    Power convertible top: https://youtu.be/KLYNqkCBh_M
    Head unit removal: https://youtu.be/LKe9fPKrAqE

  19. #19
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    i just tried to slide them to the left & right with a small screwdriver. i could get a few, but i think i might've bent the first two with my bad idea of just putting it in a vice and turn the tumbler it as hard as you can with a big screwdriver. FAIL

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Andryuha View Post
    I think you have a newer design then. The older one has the extra wafer just to keep the tumbler in place.

    Aside from using a random key, you can also use a flat electronics screwdriver and press the first wafer down. That should allow you to remove the tumbler.
    The set I did this on has a 1994 stamp on it. So maybe the older handles are easy to work on.

    It has 6 wafers per side iirc.

    Tumbler = lock cilinder?
    1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiί III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
    SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • OBC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL

    IG:
    https://www.instagram.com/iflok/



  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by MParallel View Post

    Tumbler = lock cilinder?

    yes

  22. #22
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    Ok, I found a pic from my old thread that may help you.

    Take a look at the front of the tumbler (right part of the pic). You can clearly see the "wafer" that I was talking about. Most likely, this is the piece that's preventing you from sliding the thing out of the handle. You need to push it down somehow.

    Check out my M Roadster projects and DIYs:
    Cooling system part 1: https://youtu.be/ERqztIL1DPw
    Cooling system part 2: https://youtu.be/-DnclDkn2hI
    Power convertible top: https://youtu.be/KLYNqkCBh_M
    Head unit removal: https://youtu.be/LKe9fPKrAqE

  23. #23
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    Ok, I found a pic from my old thread that may help you.

    Take a look at the front of the tumbler (right part of the pic). You can clearly see the "wafer" that I was talking about. Most likely, this is the piece that's preventing you from sliding the thing out of the handle. You need to push it down somehow.

    Check out my M Roadster projects and DIYs:
    Cooling system part 1: https://youtu.be/ERqztIL1DPw
    Cooling system part 2: https://youtu.be/-DnclDkn2hI
    Power convertible top: https://youtu.be/KLYNqkCBh_M
    Head unit removal: https://youtu.be/LKe9fPKrAqE

  24. #24
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    ooooOOOOooooOOOOoooHHHHHH will try right now....

    yeah, no i cant even reach that wafer, shit thats a hefty piece of metal holding it in there i figured id be able to just bend it by turning it. o well looks like i need to buy another door handle....
    Last edited by evanellakb; 03-17-2011 at 12:31 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  25. #25
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    My tab pushes in easy with the key rotated to the up or down position. My key also has cut in the key that's not part of the tumbler. It lines up with the large tab you were shown by Andryuha and allows the tab to recess into the cylinder. PS I also tried a different key set, it will also allow the cylinder to slide out. just as long as the pin wafers are not extend out to the maximum and the tab can move in so I would think any key that can slide in all the way will allow the cylinder to be removed.
    Last edited by gc325is; 03-18-2011 at 12:14 AM.

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