tboner001 wrote:

Did you do what i said and put loads of wd40 or similar in there over 2-3 days ? it looks bone dry to me. should be flooded with release oil for a couple of days , also keep it as warm as you can so the oil stays thin, the release part of the oil agent will evaporate off so keep throwing in more wd40 in the key slot as well as previous

also you can take the small plate off on the other side of the bar and pour oil in there as well,

Yes, I've used a lot of WD40 and 3in1. It looks dry in the pic because I'd just been experimenting with hot water and vinegar at that stage. Right now it is sat brimful of WD40.

It all seems to be pretty loose really, but I can't get the key all the way in, and the key wants to go in at an angle rather than straight. I'm beginning to wonder whether there is something stuck in there..? And I still don't know which way round the key is supposed to go in.....?

This is as good as it gets right now:

Click image to enlarge

I think Tboner001 said try a jewellers screwdriver and dig out the from the lock the keys do go all the way in  2020 Porsche Panamera Turbo Hybrid (V FAST)
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I've been using a couple of stiff bits of wire for digging around inside - although I've not tried a 'pincer movement' yet... Frankly I'm beginning to get mighty peeed off with it at the mo.

if going in at an angle then one of the lock pins is still jammed

take car putting tools in the barrel the pins will be quite soft, if you have a blow lamp you could also try some extra heat on the side

If the tumbler pin is bent from trying to force the key very likely a drill out bob i am afraid.

Do you have the model of bar with the plate on the opposite side that can be taken off ? Far to many gone...

you seem to have crap stuck in the lock. if it was on the car, the teeth of the key face down, and the key goes in upto and touching the hook. so it looks like yours doesn't. as you have it off the car, I would recommend you take it to a proper security locksmith shop, as they have all manner of tiny tools and techniques. don't take to a heelbar key cutter. I have had snapped keys removed, and keys cut to fit the lock made up in the past. if no joy at one, try another. there are some old boys out there, that can open safe's etc. is it, at all possible that the key you have is not the correct key? I think you got two keys.... there may be a key number for the actual hook written somewhere in your paperwork? its a sort of '2c34' type of number. with this number you could order one from westfalia. you can order a non red tipped one that looks like a normal key for £2 (ready cut to the number you ask for) off ebay.
failing that, I would just slide out the whole thing as you have done. its actually more secure to change the slide pin and 'R' clip for a nyloc nut and bolt!

Doh mine is stuck on now its only been on the car again for a few weeks  Far to many gone...

MY dad's was seized on too, and then the barrel lock broke and came out, leaving it stuck on the car.

They get full of crud really easily, if what you're doing isn't working then it might be easier to buy a new part.

These guys are god:

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/tow-bars...wbars.html Discovery 4 HSE
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could also try using an air line to blow out the crud. Wear eye protection and face protection though please. Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

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johnboyairey wrote:

you seem to have crap stuck in the lock. ............................!

Some top info in that post - thanks!

By way of a general update, I'm still not much further on!!

I did get another key off ebay - for £2 - and that gave me much better grip for trying to manipulate the lock - but still no success.....

I did take it to a locksmith, and he managed to get it so the key went in all the way - he used a tiny hammer and just tapped it in - I wouldn't have dared! Anyway, he messed about for a while, but neither of us could get the barrel to turn at all, it seems to be well and truly seized up.

It has spent days and days 'full' of WD40, and then I tried soaking it all in a bucket of warm water for a day or two, followed by jetwashing right into the lock area, but all I've managed to achieve is that the little metal flap that springs across and covers the keyhole now springs across (I didn't realise there was one before!!) and is very difficult to shift out of the way - even with the key!!

It dawned on me that I might be able to claim on the warranty that came with the car, but I've not looked into it yet....

I'll have a look at the link provided by RRUK too - many thanks for that.

I'll post back when I've eventually solved it or given up....

Thanks again for all your input!

You could try Plusgas penetrating oil instead of WD40.
Contrary to popular myth WD40 isn't a release oil, it's a water displacement product.

i posted earlier to take it to a locksmith, i happened to be in mylocksmith, last week and asked wether wd40 was the answer, he said, it should free it, but he uses 'gt85' its a similar thing to plus gas, -penetrating fluid etc. he told me its a frozen/seized cylinder. -if you think that there are about 5 small round bars of brass sliding within the cylinder, and 5 more above them, in the towbar, when they line up, with the (correct) key in, it allows the barrel to turn, and the lower bars to skim the towbar barrel tube. POSSIBLY a bit of grit inside, is creating a sort of extra tooth to the correct key profile etc. . now that you have a lock barrel that allow the key all the way in, i suggest that you try it in and out, with plenty of extra sprays of GT85 to wear out the grit piece. just in and out over and over, with the new key held in a pair of pliers to save your fingers. -also, with the key right in, try slamming the main body of the towbar against something like a metalwork vice to jarr and unseize anything that might be holding out! remember, the key must turn a half turn (180) before anything else needs playing with. i think the grit piece is smaller now, and just needs to be ground down. -nothing else to lose, except a few anglo-saxon short words etc.

johnboyairey wrote:

you seem to have crap stuck in the lock.

My missus lost her patience with having the towbar on the kitchen worktop...! I don't know what the problem was!! Anyway, I'm not convinced I'm going to be able to shift it at all, so I'm mentally moving on to 'plan B' while I get hold of some plus gas or similar in the meantime to give it a try.

So, plan B: Basically it is a toss up between taking it into the stealers for them to try to sort it, or just buying new. Does anyone know how much I'm looking at for a new unit - swan neck and receiver cup - with locks etc?? or even part numbers?? I need an idea of cost before I approach the stealers for a repair.... (if they even can repair it??)

Cheers all.

Around the 200 notes mark but you may get a new one off ebay for less


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i have seen the hook itself go on ebay for £50 and the receiver, (that you might be able to rescue) go for similar money. the two together command a bit more as they compliment each other etc.,
bang in that metal key a bit more! if you search for a westfalia hook, use the model number cast into the hook side in riased letters, (from your old one) as some sellers, dont know what hook they have, but have the model number etc.