After a 15 minute search through the forum I could not find this problem anywhere. About a year ago I replaced a broken paddle on the driver's door lock, and the door lock worked again as normal. Recently however I have noticed that although the door locks and unlocks with the key, it basically will do that with any metal implement that is the right shape (like the handle of a teaspoon) which is sort of a concern. Before I go messing around with the barrel and mechanism again I was wondering if anyone had come across this before, I would rather not have to get a new lock and key, as I already have one for the boot and onefor the ignition/doors. Thanks in advance.

Edited 13 September, 201115 yr by Pariolino

After a 15 minute search through the forum I could not find this problem anywhere. About a year ago I replaced a broken paddle on the driver's door lock, and the door lock worked again as normal. Recently however I have noticed that although the door locks and unlocks with the key, it basically will do that with any metal implement that is the right shape (like the handle of a teaspoon) which is sort of a concern. Before I go messing around with the barrel and mechanism again I was wondering if anyone had come across this before, I would rather not have to get a new lock and key, as I already have one for the boot and onefor the ignition/doors. Thanks in advance.

Never heard of this happening before, but it sounds like the barrel itself is fucked? Like you can push anything in there, and it will still release the pins and not reject it. Slag of a lock.

I have figured out what the problem is; basically the barrell is fine but it rotates inside a sleeve with trenches in it that will restrict movement if the key is not inserted, I have somehow lost that sleeve so the barrel just rotates in the normal angles it does but with any turning force applied. I am pretty sure all those sleeves (post Jul '97) are the same so I will pick myself up one at the scrap yard, thanks for the help.