Drivers Side Door Lock Tampered With

[Cpt BlackBeard]

Hi Guys,

Hope your all enjoying the new year and had a good Christmas. I have a question regarding my Seat Leon Cupra Mk1. Just before Christmas some chavvy little punk attempted to break into my car and did a really poor job of it

It was as if they thought they wee breaking into a Mk 1 Ford Fiesta, they have removed the lock cover but the actually barrel is still inside the door. No problems with central locking or opening the door, but it looks tacky and every time I open the door the handle is loose and comes away from the door.

Now my mate runs a garage and he has advised that because the barrel is still int he door its not worth changing. It would cost me about 80 quid for the lock and my mate would probably do it for 20 so GBP100.00 all up.

Is it worth it? My mate seems to think I might do more damage attempting to get the old lock out? Am I better off just getting a blanking plate and fitting that?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated and thanks for taking the time to read my post.
Ps. I did try looking this up and wasnt successful so sorry if this problem has already been covered,

Cpt. B

 

[Titchayers]

Do you ever use your key in the door to unlock your car?

 

[Cpt BlackBeard]

Using The Key

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. No I never really use the key to open the drivers door, because I have a Key Fobb with two spares. But it just looks wrong at the moment and I have only had the car 6 months. Dont want to bodge it, but at the same time don't want to make it worse?

 

[Titchayers]

Well the passenger doors on Standard Leon S's (the one in my avatar) just have like a blanking plate almost as there is no lock barrel on that side. You will have to double check as I'm not sure, but you may be able to get that to fit where they have taken the lock cover.
It's just a simple T20 torx screw to replace.
This may not work, as it may not fit round the barrel, they are not designed to, but it's worth looking into

 

[Cpt BlackBeard]

You might be right, because I have seen the bit of kit to replace the lock cover and it looks like it fits. I will probably just buy that kit and see if I can patch it. Rather that, than take the lock out and cause more problems. Thanks allot for your advice buddy.

 

[Titchayers]

The lock is only 3 bolts and it is out once you have removed the carrier panel.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?1015107

If you can get hold of a replacement lock, it's really not that hard. I have taken my lock out numerous times. That guide is awesome mate. Will always be better with the lock still accessible.
Hope this helps mate

 

[TomWhite]

As mentioned you can buy a blank the same as the passenger side.

Be very careful. You say like breaking in to a "Mk1 fiesta" but you'd be shocked how easy anything on the MK4 chassis is to get in to..

 

[Cpt BlackBeard]

I totally agree mate, suppose if they really wanna get into the car they will. What angered me is that the car is totally standard, including head unit and speakers. There aren't even any CD's in there, just tapes which nobody even uses anymore.

Whats annoying is that I am unsure where it actually happened. I first noticed it on my drive, but I couldn't see the lock cover anywhere on the ground or under the car.
These instances really put me off owning anything nice or of value.

 

[TomWhite]

Its not if they really want to to get in. They're as easy as a mk1 fiesta tbh. It scary.

 

[Cpt BlackBeard]

Hi guys,

Just an update on this issue with ym lock. I have now purchased a new lock (#75.00), along with the arm which goes with it and new handle and lock cover. along with a whole new lock system through my friends garage.

I need to paint the door lock cover to match the car.

Anyone know the best way of doing this?

Should I primer the plastic, spray it black, and then lacquer it so it doesn't peal? (Sorry kinda new to this stuff)

FYI - I asked mt friend about matching the paint and he said Id need to pay for it by the litre and its GBP80.00 per litre.

I've got two word for that kind of price, daylight robbery

 

[Titchayers]

If you want a cheap way out, you could get all your door handles and probably your mirrors carbon wrapped for about £20.
What colour is your car?

 

[Cpt BlackBeard]

The car is Black. So I was thinking that I might be able to get away with just using touch up paint. Its only the drivers door lock cover I am spraying, not the door handle. So it should be a fairly easy job, I just don't want to do it then in a few weeks realize I have bodged it and the rain causes it to peal.

 

[LEE69]

Why have you bought a new lock if the barrel is bust?
You did see these i hope http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEAT-LEON...SM&fits=Model:Leon&hash=item33655b9155&_uhb=1

 

[Cpt BlackBeard]

Why have you bought a new lock if the barrel is bust?
You did see these i hope http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEAT-LEON...SM&fits=Model:Leon&hash=item33655b9155&_uhb=1

Funnily enough I did see that, but these idiots have not only busted the lock, which is still in the door (albeit mangled), they have actually damaged the arm that holds the lock, So that needed to be replaced as well.

The new lock (itself) is for my car via the registration. But that ebay lock looks like it may have sufficed. Especially seeing as the central locking still works fine, so no real need to use the key in the door.

My best may has been getting me the parts and should I find he is mugging me off I shall be waiting for him at 3 o clock outside the school gates lol

 

[LEE69]

Ah right fair enough.

 

[addavis89]

Take it to a bodyshop. £80 a litre. A bodyshop wouldn't mix a litre so would be cheaper than that even with labour. My place wouldn't charge £80 to paint a handle!! Or if you fancy some diy buy an aerosol can same colour as your car either from a automotive distribution company or halfords and a can of aerosol lacquer.