AX boot lock, maybe from Saxo

[djg]

Hi,

Chris convinced me to register with my question. Some of you might know me from before (Citroën BX DIY website, the -L mailing lists of yore, co-author of the Citroën Technical Guide)...

This time, it's about an AX in the family, now in the process of repairing what's needed to get through MOT. Although it's technically ours (actually, my mother's) but it was used by a friend who has, since, passed away, some small issues neglected. One outstanding problem is, as with so many AXs, with the boot lock (3-door, no central locking). The usual symptoms, spinning in place. As the AX lock was always of a very unfortunate design, I don't really intend to replace it with the same lock (not that it would be that easy to source one, actually). So, the idea of fitting a Saxo lock came up. It isn't a straight swap by any means, the bolts to secure it are different and there is no provision for it on the AX door, of course. Besides, being a single layer plastic door, it can't be done easily, either.

Hence my question. Does somebody have experience with this, knowing what lock can be made to fit and how?

Thanks for any suggestions or ideas.

[white exec]

Hi, Gabor, and a big welcome to FCF.
Hopefully your question will get some answers from the AX/Saxo experts.

Note
Must, in all fairness, point out that Gabor registered here on the condition that we made him Tea.
Neil, Mick...
You are hereby delegated to organise this. It was a rash promise, I know, and I hope (one day) to drink real tea with Our Man.

[xantia_v6]

Welcome Gabor!

Maybe a few photos would help the discussion? as most of us have never seen an AX boot lock.

[djg]

Well, those who never saw one will be unlikely to help then. I hope to find someone who did it, actually.

The whole setup looks like this:

Being a one-layer plastic door, there is no real way to fix the lock with screws. They did it down with the latch where they found it inevitable but up with the lock, Citroën made the mistake of using a simple clip (7) to keep the lock in place. And, after a time, it does not.

I don't have a similar exploded look for the Saxo at hand but they did a much better job there:

Obviously, not a direct replacement, not even close. Still, the question remains whether somebody already solved the issue, found a way to fit this, anyway, or some other make, or maybe a way to fix the problems of the original design? Adding a central lock mechanism just to the boot door is also an option, but a more complicated one, of course, needing wiring and a way to actuate.

[wheeler]

Like you say the locks are not even close & both operate completely differently. The AX twists to unlock? (From memory, its a long time since i touched an AX lock) but the Saxo pushes to unlock and is also bolted on rather than a clip.
I have a Saxo boot lock here so here are some pics from different angles.
If i was unable to repair the original lock i would probably consider doing away with it & fitting a universal solenoid release with either a remote or hidden button.

[djg]

Thanks, these pictures were of real help. The car is at my mechanic, he will decide on the final solution. Seeing how the rod can actually be attached helped. A solenoid is still possible but attaching the solenoid would be simple, finding the way to operate it would be more daunting.

[djg]

The problem is still not solved, we abandoned the Saxo idea and would be most happy with an original, broken or new AX lock. I tried Le Bon Coin and found one or two but the sellers simply won't respond to questions about delivery to these parts of the world (asked in French, of course)...

[moizeau]

Hi Gabor, if you can find one in France I'd be willing to get it for you and post it on. Are all AX boot locks the same? What pieces of your original do you still have?

[djg]

Pete, thanks, that would be very nice of you, thank you. My mechanic has just called me that there is a potential AX with probably the lock still there in a yard, he asked for it and expects to get the answer back next week. If that doesn't turn out to be available, I'll gladly take you up on it. )

I found more than one on leboncoin, I think they are the same, the parts to be seen on the diagram above, the rectangular surround (4) and the barrel that goes inside (2), that's all. Probably with the retaining spring (7) but this is the one that tends to fail over time, so we might find another way to secure the lock in place. Gluing it in place is tempting but not necessarily the best solution