If you've already been struggling to open your truck bed lately, it's most likely time for any century tonneau cover lock replacement . There is certainly truthfully nothing more frustrating than pulling up to a work site or the campsite, reaching intended for your gear, and realizing the lock is frozen strong or the key just spins aimlessly. It's one regarding those small truck problems that stays "small" until you're standing in the rain looking to jiggle the key right into a corroded lock cylinder.
Century continues to be making solid truck caps and lids with regard to a long time, but like any component that lives outdoors 24/7, the hardware eventually gives up the ghost. Whether it's salt from your winter roads, resolution from the trek, or simply plain outdated age, these hair take a conquering. The good news is that a person don't need to take your pickup truck to a specific shop and pay out a fortune in labour to get this set. It's a simple DIY job that most people may knock out on a Saturday morning with just a couple of basic tools.
Figuring Out Which Lock You Actually Possess
Before a person go ordering parts online, you should consider a close look at what's currently installed on your cover. Century covers have utilized a few different designs over the yrs. Some older fiber-glass tonneau covers use a classic T-handle lock that sticks out and appears like something you'd notice on a garage door. Others use a more flush-mounted paddle handle or even a small, round push-button style lock.
The particular most common problem I see will be people ordering a "universal" lock that doesn't actually suit the thickness of their fiberglass lid. You want in order to guarantee the "tailpiece"—that's the metal bit that actually turns in order to catch the latch—is the right duration. If it's too short, it won't achieve the mechanism; in the event that it's too very long, it'll hit the particular frame of the particular truck bed.
If you can find a serial number on the underside of your cover, that's gold. But if the sticker has very long since peeled off, don't worry. You can usually recognize the right century tonneau cover lock replacement simply by simply measuring the particular diameter from the gap in the cover and checking the form of the handle.
Tools You'll Probably Require
You actually don't need much to get this particular done. Usually, the particular lock is kept in place by a large nut for the back side or perhaps a couple of little screws. Here's the typical kit:
- A screwdriver (usually Phillips, but check your specific hardware).
- An flexible wrench or the socket set.
- Some pliers (needle-nose are great for those frustrating little clips).
- A little bit of WD-40 or even a penetrating oil (to have the aged, rusted hardware off).
- A clear rag to clean down the region once the old lock is out.
Just how to Remove the Aged Lock
Initial things first, open up the cover. In case your lock is totally busted and a person can't get the particular cover open, a person might have in order to crawl in by means of the tailgate (if your tailgate starts independently) and trip the latches through the inside. It's a squeeze, nevertheless it's better than prying the cover and cracking the fiberglass.
As soon as you have access to underneath associated with the lock, look for the mounting hardware. If it's a T-handle, there are usually usually two anchoring screws on the outside or a large nut upon the inside. Most century tonneau cover lock replacement kits are made to be swapped out successfully.
If there's a lot associated with gunk and corrosion, spray it along with some penetrating essential oil and allow it to sit down for ten a few minutes. Don't attempt to pressure it, or else you may end up spinning the whole lock housing in the particular fiberglass, which can chew up up the hole and make the new lock fit loosely. When the nut or screws are off, the lock should just glide right out associated with the front.
Installing the New Lock
Since you've got a large vacant hole within your tonneau cover, give it a good wipe. Grime likes to hide beneath the gasket associated with the old lock, and if a person leave it generally there, the new one particular won't seal properly, leading to leaks within your cargo area.
Take your brand-new lock and make sure the rubber gasket is seated correctly. This is the only point keeping rainwater out of your bed, so don't skip it. Slide the new lock with the hole.
From the inside, you'll wish to reattach the increasing hardware. Don't overtighten it yet. You want this snug enough to stay put but loose enough that will you can change the alignment. Check out to see if the key turns smoothly and that the latch actually grabs the strike plate on the truck bed. If everything looks lined up, go on and tighten it straight down.
Dealing along with the Latch Cables
Sometimes the particular lock itself is definitely fine, but the wires that run through the lock to the sides of the bed are the real culprits. In case your century tonneau cover lock replacement doesn't seem to be solving the problem, check the tension upon those cables.
Over time, these cables can stretch. Most Century covers have a method to adjust the tension, usually via the threaded bolt close to the center deal with. If there's too much slack, the particular lock might change, but it won't pull the latches far enough in order to release the cover. Give them just a little tighten, but not really a lot that the latches are constantly under tension, or your cover might pop open whilst you're driving straight down the highway.
Maintenance to Create the New Lock Last
As soon as you've got your new lock installed, you probably want to make be certain to don't have to do this again in 2 yrs. The particular biggest enemy of these locks isn't really wear and tear—it's corrosion and street grime.
I usually suggest using the dry graphite lubricant rather than wet oil like WD-40 with regard to the keyhole by itself. Wet oils have a tendency to attract dust and dirt, which usually eventually turns into a thick insert that jams the particular internal tumblers. Graphite stays dry plus keeps things sliding smoothly.
Also, every now and then, give the moving components on the inside of the cover a quick spray which includes silicone lube. This keeps the springs and pivot points from seizing up. If a person live in a spot where they salt the roads within winter, maybe provide the lock a quick rinse when you wash your pickup truck to get that salt out associated with the crevices.
When to Contact in an Expert
Look, most of the time, a century tonneau cover lock replacement is a 20-minute job. But if you discover how the fiberglass close to the lock gap is cracked or delaminating, you may have the bigger issue. Or, if your cover is one of the high-end electric models with integrated remote locking, the wiring might become the problem rather than the mechanical lock.
If you're looking at a mess of wires and actuators and also you aren't comfy with 12-volt consumer electronics, there's no pity in taking it to a pickup truck accessory shop. They do these all day time long and may usually locate a short or a dead motor fairly quickly.
But for the 90% of us with a standard manual lock, it's a DIY win. It's one of those satisfying repairs where you can actually see and feel the difference immediately. No even more fighting with all the key, no more worrying about your tools theft because you couldn't get the lid to lock. Just a smooth turn of the key and you're good in order to go.
Anyhow, hope this helps a person get your cargo area secured again. It's a simple fix, however it makes a world of distinction for your peace of mind. Happy wrenching!