Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi

I need some assiatnce in that my Pajero's rear lock feels like dust entered it and is dificult to lock and unlock. This was since my trip to the Makgadigadi pans and I suspect the fine dust has something to do with it.

Question 1 - what is the best way of getting access to it?

Qution 2 - best way to clean it?

Hi Roelof, Have the same problem with my girl. I was in Namibia in 2011 and 2012 for two weeks each and everyday when we got into camp I could not open the 5th door. Eventually resorted to pouring/squirting water around the door lock via the gap in the door and past the door handle this worked for me. I actually forgot to strip it when I got back in 2011 and not really using dirt roads it was quickly forgotten about.

I was up in Etosha last week and had the same problem so will definetley strip as soon as I get a chance and let you know what I find.

Hi,

This is a common problem - (if you Google pajero clean rear door lock you will get about a million hits) - here is a link https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/sh ... hp?t=84103. Seems like not too much pain.

WD40 and copper based anti-seize grease seem to be the order of the day.

Its in the job jar for this weekend.

Ok, the weekend came early.

This is what I did and this is what I found.
(See also Mitsu manual ch42 p39 onwards)
SWAMBO's best wooden spoon & spatula may come in handy here to help get the clips off without breaking & without damaging
paintwork.

1. Remove Mitsu tool box from inside rear door (two knobs behind tool box cover then lift)
2. Remove high level stop light bezel. Two screws.
3. Remove high level stop light assembly. Two screws.
4. Remove inside door handle. Two screws behind flaps at sides of handle. The flaps hinge at the outside edge of the handle.
5. Remove top half of trim that surrounds back window. 4 clips along top, 4 clips along bottom and two clips on each side. And I also found some velcro like material in two places on eaither side too. Maybe added later to stop rattling?
6. Remove two screws (that are not shown in the manual?) from behind the netting.
7. Remove lower half of trim. 6 clips along top, 6 along bottom and two along each side.
8. Remove number plate holder. NB I found one bolted fixing on mine near centre (10 mm AF) that needs to be undone from inside of door then 6 clips around outside.
9. Remove rear door handle (the one hidden under the number plate) from outside. Held in place by two 10mm AF nuts accessible from inside. Dont forget to carefully unclip the rod that goes from here to the lock assembly.
NB Before you remove the lock assembly carefully unclip the rod that runs vertically from the top of the lock assembly to the back of the rear door key mechanism at the bottom of the door. Do this so that you don’t end up bending the rod. Mark the top so that you know which way it goes back. Observe that in operation it slides in a small clip fixed inside the back door. If you forget to mark the rod you can probably see where it is shiny from moving in this clip and hence reassemble correctly.
10. Remove lock assembly - 3 countersunk machine screws from edge of rear door and one 10mm AF inside door. Careful with the wires. Unplug the electrical plug by depressing the retaining clip at the side of the plug.

So now you have two assemblies:
The handle assembly
The lock assembly

Both covered in dust and muck.

Clean them nicely.

Lightly grease the spring at the back of the handle and check the handle operates smoothly. Dont leave excess grease - it will just collect dust.

I found the lock assembly very dusty and sticky. Especially the latch mechanism - this is the part that rotates and catches around the striker on the body. There was a big build up of mud on both sides which prevented it from returning to its home position. A soak in a diesel bath may be best but I didn’t have diesel or a suitable container and SWAMBO isn't keen on diesel in the sink so I Q20ed it many times, operating it and cleaning it multiple times until it went back to its home position quite freely.

I tried a bit of anti-seize grease on the sided of the latch - but that just reduced the clearance and prevented the latch returning properly.

While you have all this apart - figure how it works.
The door handle is what applies force to move a system of levers that allows the latch to rotate around the striker.
The servo simply moves a small arm that permits / prevents the system of levers from providing motion to the latch.
So also make sure that the slide that the servo moves operates freely.

I thought that would do the trick - but when I reassembled still no luck. I could hear the servo and see a little movement but not enough to move the slide mechanism.

I took the servo off the lock assembly and tried to operate it. It still does not move properly - just gives a mm kick.

So after all that it looks like the servo is shot.

Any bets on:
1. The stealers have - but only as a complete assembly for the price of a small car
2. The servo is available as a separate spare - but n weeks from order ex Japan

Stay tuned.
(Sorry - no pics - hands too dirty!)

Any bets on:
1. The stealers have - but only as a complete assembly for the price of a small car
2. The servo is available as a separate spare - but n weeks from order ex Japan

So I win BOTH bets (sadly):
1. Only available as a complete sub-assembly. Quoted part number LMR432775 at R870 by Sandown Motors Bryanston - but no stock. Their system showed 1 at Mitsubishi Motors East Rand. When I phoned East Rand they told me R1290 but no stock.
2. With none in stock then 3 - 4 weeks ex import.

I also tried several breakers yards (but I really don't want an old mechanism - I want as new) all to no avail.

Oh dear, what is going to happen to this marque in South Africa?

I am also posting this to the parts availability thread.