Door latch lube Options

[Olympic 914]

Door latch lube.

The passenger side door latch lock had gotten stiff to operate, to the point where I was worried about breaking off the key. I could still unlock it from the inside latch though.

The door latch worked good to open the door, just the lock was stiff.

So I took the door apart to work on the latch. The key turned freely in the door handle, so I know the problem wasn’t there.

Removed the latch mechanism and scrubbed it in Simple Green in the parts washer, working it to try and get it to move freely.

Soaked it overnight in the Simple Green. It still felt a little stiff so I soaked it again overnight in Evapo-Rust. That Really cleaned it up.

Washed and dried it with compressed air and lubed with Kroil, working the mechanism to get the lube into it. Then gave it a spray with chain lube. Wiped the excess off and re installed it.

It works smoothly, but is still a little stiff, more than the driver’s side. Could this be because the driver’s side lock is used more? And possible worn more? (I will do the drivers side next)

The door opens nicely just the lock part is stiff. the key turns freely in the door handle , by itself.

I tried it with and without the rod installed first, to make sure there wasn’t any binding there. Before installing the door panel.

I did not put any grease on the mechanism because I didn’t want it to harden up in the future and cause problems.

Is there a better lube I should have used?

@TheCabinetmaker