So, what can be done about the door locks that are touchy?

Sometimes I can insert the key and immediately unlock the doors. Other times it seems like I get to play the "move the key in and out by thousandths of an inch until everything lines up" game for 5 minutes before I can unlock the door

Driver side is significantly worse than passenger side, no doubt just from wear. Is there anything that can be done short of replacing the whole cylinder?

that's about it... they are made of pig metal, and once they wear... see ya...

They are a pain, but not all that hard to replace. Get the new handles, too... they age at about the same rate.

I did this upgrade and the door locks are far easier to use.

You can try to clean/lube... Brake cleaner followed by graphite powder...

First thing I would do it lubricate the cylinder (from the outside of the car) with graphite. You can also pull the door panels and clean off the interior assembly and relubricate with fresh white lithium grease.

The mechanism seems to work just fine when everything lines up, it's just the issue of getting everything lined up.

Andy, when you got new stuff were you able to key it to your existing key? Center console and glove box locks work fine, it's really only the driver side. Be a shame to have to replace everything.

Then either your key or your cylinder is worn. Try a different key and lubricate it with graphite, then report back.

My 92 does this just a tad so, I can live with it for now.

If you have to move the key in and out like you describe, I doubt lube will help. Does the key turn easily once you get it to turn?

Probably the only way to fix this is to replace the cylinders, a pair with 2 keys from RockAuto is $52. And, yea you'll have to keep the old key for the console.

A bigger problem on mine is the stiff mechanism in the door. Clean & lube didn't work as well as I liked.

I also installed a keyless entry w/alarm, it worked well for 5 years then quit. I plan to get another because it's already wired up *which takes a good bit of work).

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Yes. Sometimes I walk up and it just so happens to fall in the right spot and it's no trouble. Other times I have to fight with it, but once it does turn it's never particularly stiff. I really don't believe it is key wear either because the passenger side doesn't give me this trouble, and well, if you saw the pattern on my key you would understand. I will try a different key just in case.

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Ugh, don't like that at all. The price isn't bad but having 3 keys would bug me. A close friend of mine is a tech at the dealership, I'll ask him if he can repin a GM cylinder.

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That can be done, probably need to go to a locksmith though.
IIRC, there ate kits with the tumblers, etc.

You may also want to check if you can get one cyl. at the dealership instead of buying the pair.

Had a new ignition switch put in the Van and had it rekeyed to the original key. Any good locksmith can do it as door locks should be simpler I would suspect.

I spoke with my friend at the dealership and he said they can do it IF they have the tumblers, if not any locksmith should be able to do it.

There is a good locksmith in our town so looks like that will be my best bet. Now, time to mess with it.......