Thread: Discovery 2 steering lock

We've just had a drama with Daisy's steering lock. Thought it might be worth recording what we did and what we learned. Our key was sticky in the lock for a while but a quick squirt of WD40 seemed to be doing the trick. Last week it suddenly got impossible to turn the key at all. Lesson 1: catastrophic failure can be sudden. I called the AA to help. Turned out the lock was stuffed. He slid the immobiliser coil off the lock and then unscrewed the ignition switch from the other end. Starting the engine was now possible by holding the key through the immobiliser coil, placing it in the ignition lock and turning it. A well aimed centre punch and hammer made short work of the shear off bolts holding the lock in place. We now had a working car. Calls to all the usual parts suppliers comfirmed that a D2 lock is a dealer only part. The local dealers were very helpful and promised to supply and fit a lock that fitted my existing keys for £290, up front, in full, plus proof of registration and ID. Oh, and they wanted to fit it themselves - that price did not include labour.

I had a think. It turns out that part no STC1435 (Late Disco 1 lock) looks identical to the D2 lock. I am informed that it is identical. It comes with plain keys but you can get blades from eBay to fit your key. It does mean that your door key and ignition key are no longer the same but how many of us us the iron key to open the door? STC 1435 averages £60 in UK. HEALTH WARNING: we did something else.

I know a good lock smith. I gave him Daisy's lock, he fixed it for £40, I remounted the lock and she was a good as new. Only clue is a few babs of araldite on the lock casing.

Hello,

I have read various threads on this subject.
When it happened to me, I blasted graphite in the key hole and lots of it. I then inserted and removed the key about 20 or 30 times. I then blasted more graphite into the key hole. It was initially a little sticky for a day or two but came good. This was well over 12 months ago.
I know it goes against advice from various people about the workings of a Land Rover ignition key barrel and that it needs to be replaced etc, but my ignition barrel was seized and with a good blast of graphite now works perfectly and keeps doing so.

Cheers,

Jason