Hammer and Chisel work

There are times when you have to leave the Screwdriver and Spanner and turn to the Hammer & Chisel.

This was one of them. 

I had just squirted WD40 into the lock mechanism of the Reliant Rebel and freed the offside door fitting to save having to wind down the window and work the lock from outside when the nearside lock decided to go on strike.

WD40 again but it didn't work this time. It was not the fitting at the end of the line but the latch lever itself.

Right; unsnap the door lining and look at the situation. Bugger the panel surrounding the lever was pop-riveted as well as screwed on.

Think, think, think, think.

The connecting rod was working so it was attached. Therefore it was the mechanism stiffened up. WD40 must get to it somehow.

Out with my drill. Don't drill immediately above the fitting the connecting rod is there. Drill to one side.

 The joys of working on ancient vehicles.

Small hole was drilled and then enlarged by putting a bigger drill in and moving it sideways to oval the hole.

WD40 was brought into play with the plastic tube inserted pointing sideways. A couple of squirts and all was working again. Hooray for WD40. 

Re-assemble; BUGGER where is the lever setting screw? Lost. BSF thread; all I have is metric and the heads are too large in any case. Message to Joe Mason. Screw will arrive by post.

All is well until the next time. And there is always a next time. But at least I can now lock the nearside door.