Door latch mechanism cleaning and lubricating

[csnoke]

1979 FJ40 US Model
I've spent some time this week really cleaning my door latches, and while they're working a ton better, I can't help but feel that there might be a chemical bath that I could leave these in and then they'd work even better. I Also am curious if there's maybe a lubricant that would help them continue to work great and not get gunked up again. The springs are clean at this point, which I have to think is the most important.

Any suggestions?

Also, all I crazy spending time on this? Do you guys also clean these things or do you just buy new ones for 30 bucks?

 

[bhsdriller]

See if you can remove anything plastic and soak it in a carb cleaning dip

 

[charliemeyer007]

Some of the plastic bushing look captive. Soak the unit in WD-40 over night. Use high pressure air to blow it dry. Lube all the pivot points with Singer sewing machine oil - it doesn't gum up - well the old Singer oil was that way - who know what they have now. Food grade silicon spray or dry spray teflon (PTFE) shouldn't attract dirt.

 

[igotta40]

1979 FJ40 US Model
I've spent some time this week really cleaning my door latches, and while they're working a ton better, I can't help but feel that there might be a chemical bath that I could leave these in and then they'd work even better. I Also am curious if there's maybe a lubricant that would help them continue to work great and not get gunked up again. The springs are clean at this point, which I have to think is the most important.

Any suggestions?

Also, all I crazy spending time on this? Do you guys also clean these things or do you just buy new ones for 30 bucks?

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[SteveH]

If it's not worn out, clean, lube and use it. The Chinese ones are only so-so - the have a cheap feel to them and I had one go bad on a four-wheeling trip and I had to bungee-cord my driver's door shut for a time until I could latch it. You could soak it in mineral spirits (not lacquer thinner or carb cleaner) and the plastic parts would survive that, and then blow it out with compressed air. Then, lube with white aerosol Lithium grease as needed.