Never had a problem previously but key now needs to be waggled to turn in the barrel. I’ve squirted some of the dry graphite powder in which helps the key go in and out but ,so far, doesn’t seem to have helped. Was tempted to drip some oil in or spray but wary that this may turn the graphite gloopy. Any suggestions, if a new barrel is needed….is this an easy fix? 71 westy lhd.
Wiggle the steering wheel whilst trying to turn the key and see if that helps It may be pressure from the steering lock.
Just been out to wiggle the wheel, didn’t have to key turning easily. Perhaps the graphite took a little longer to lubricate the internals .
The steering lock is very effective when it works... but it only has a few positions where it locks....usually one about straight ahead(used for towing bus backwards by AA on one occasion ) , so it does tend to catch me by surprise when I stop while there is some tension between the tyres and the steering wheel and I leave the key in as it takes up the tension on the steering lock.
I did it to myself today, wound the steering back with the key out until the steering lock popped in. When I finally got the key to wiggle free, there was about 1/3 of a rotation of the steering wheel as torsion in the steering between the steering wheel and the surface of the road at the bottom of the tyres.
Mike , mine has now sorted itself out. I don’t think it was about the steering lock but more with the internals of the lock itself. I have generally used 3 in 1 oil to sort similar issues but this time ( having read some locksmiths advice) I tried the little “ puffer” pack of graphite. It’s a bit fiddly but certainly did the job….also on other locks about the place. I was just concerned that if it didn’t sort it would oil then make a bad thing worse. Glad you sorted yours out
It’s now working fine and is original. Pretty sure a working 52 year old barrel is better than a new one !
Mine started doing this years ago. The key sometimes needs a tap with a mallet to get it moving again. I imagine by now the barrel is full of miscellaneous debris.
