I noticed last week the door lock actuators were getting lazy, and the condition seemed to be aggravated by the recent heat wave. If I hit the lock button more than once, the little nib with orange indicator just kinda moved a little, but didn't go the full distance of travel.
After a little searching on the net; I ordered new AC Delco front actuators, both left & right. Picked up a Stanley rivet gun at Menard's.
The job is pretty strainght forward: remove the door panel, peel back the water deflector, drill/chisel the old rivets, and remove the actuator off the lock rod. The worst part of the job is dealing with the door panel. I just took my time & have a decent clip popper tool from Snap-on.
Installation is the reverse, and the Delco parts came with plenty of rivets! I also took the time to put a little grease on the rods where the clips hold them in place; just to keep everything operating smoothly. I think this was the first time the panel had been off in 12 years, so I also wiped down the backside of the panel & cleaned things up a bit.
The door locks work great now - no more "one hit and done" action. So if yours are exhibiting the same conditions as mine, don't put up with it - just fix it. The cost was around $130 for the parts + $30 for the rivet gun. Worth it to have functioning door locks again!
ETA: I forgot to mention I had my 13 yo son help me. The new rivets are pretty good sized, and I needed both hands to squeeze the gun. I had my son hold the actuator up tight to the inner panel ....so three hands at this point is very beneficial!
After a little searching on the net; I ordered new AC Delco front actuators, both left & right. Picked up a Stanley rivet gun at Menard's.
The job is pretty strainght forward: remove the door panel, peel back the water deflector, drill/chisel the old rivets, and remove the actuator off the lock rod. The worst part of the job is dealing with the door panel. I just took my time & have a decent clip popper tool from Snap-on.
Installation is the reverse, and the Delco parts came with plenty of rivets! I also took the time to put a little grease on the rods where the clips hold them in place; just to keep everything operating smoothly. I think this was the first time the panel had been off in 12 years, so I also wiped down the backside of the panel & cleaned things up a bit.
The door locks work great now - no more "one hit and done" action. So if yours are exhibiting the same conditions as mine, don't put up with it - just fix it. The cost was around $130 for the parts + $30 for the rivet gun. Worth it to have functioning door locks again!
ETA: I forgot to mention I had my 13 yo son help me. The new rivets are pretty good sized, and I needed both hands to squeeze the gun. I had my son hold the actuator up tight to the inner panel ....so three hands at this point is very beneficial!
Last edited:
