07-06-2014, 09:33 AM
Anyway, I fixed it.
Just so anyone knows if this ever happens to them, this is what I did:
I crawled back in there and used some pliers to gripped the detached bar to move the mechanism.
I gripped the bar with the pliers and used the edge of the metal access hole for leverage to pry against. It was pretty stuck.
I then removed the latch and disassembled it (one screw).
WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS:
There are two moving metal parts and three springs inside.
One of the springs, over the years, had worked itself into the plastic housing so that it couldn't do it's job anymore.
THE FIX:
I took the spring out (had to pry it out because it was stuck in the plastic housing).
I couldn't find my dremel so I heated up the tip of a knife with a lighter and smoothed out the area of the plastic housing that the spring had imbedded itself. Like spreading butter.
I lubed the whole mechanism with 20-50 and followed up with some grease and put it back together.
It works again.
NOTE: If anyone ever does this, be careful. When 'ya take the thing apart things might go flying 'cause of the springs in there. Also, theres a very small rubber piece in there. I think if 'ya loose that your toast.
Just so anyone knows if this ever happens to them, this is what I did:
I crawled back in there and used some pliers to gripped the detached bar to move the mechanism.
I gripped the bar with the pliers and used the edge of the metal access hole for leverage to pry against. It was pretty stuck.
I then removed the latch and disassembled it (one screw).
WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS:
There are two moving metal parts and three springs inside.
One of the springs, over the years, had worked itself into the plastic housing so that it couldn't do it's job anymore.
THE FIX:
I took the spring out (had to pry it out because it was stuck in the plastic housing).
I couldn't find my dremel so I heated up the tip of a knife with a lighter and smoothed out the area of the plastic housing that the spring had imbedded itself. Like spreading butter.
I lubed the whole mechanism with 20-50 and followed up with some grease and put it back together.
It works again.
NOTE: If anyone ever does this, be careful. When 'ya take the thing apart things might go flying 'cause of the springs in there. Also, theres a very small rubber piece in there. I think if 'ya loose that your toast.