T4 Door lock Tumblers - removal replacement assistance

[T4 hobart VW]

Now the cars back on the road I'm looking at all the other issues - ones that will annoy the crap out of me over time !
The biggest one is the driver side door lock - before I owned it some lovely person took to the T4 with a screwdriver trying to break in - they managed to bust the front half of the tumbler right out of the housing ! In a strange twist you can still open the locked door by inserting the from 5mm of the key - its a hassle as you need to jiggle it to get it to work.
I've found a supplier of after market replacements that come with a key - I've looked at the lefthand side lock and it looks as if the tumbler should come out - if I can get it out I'm sure the local locksmith could re key it to the original but I can't work out how its fitted !!! The new tumbler comes with a note to say you shouldn't remove the key before the lock is fitted that suggests to me that one of the pins in the new lock locks the tumbler into place but I can't see how to do this !

Does anyone have a hack or workaround for removing the old tumblers from the lock housing - in other automotive tumblers you insert the key and also poke a straightened paperclip into a hidden hole and the tumbler releases !!!

I think that the tumbler mechanism is probably the same or nearly the same on T5's

Any suggestions ????

[Seano]

I've done this! In fact I did the tumbler reset myself using the original as a guide. Or I may have swapped tumblers.

Basically, on the back of the handle mechanism, you'll find the cast alloy locking bar is held to the tumbler shaft by a pin. You have to drive the pin out to get it off the shaft. Then (I think) there's a retaining spring that holds the tumbler within the handle. Remove that and bingo...out drops the tumbler.

You can then recode the tumbler to your key just by adjusting the pins.

Then put it back together!

Edit: Bear in mind though that this was a while ago so the exact details are open to question. However, I did look at my spare mechanisms (used and new reproduction) before replying...and I'm pretty sure I'm on the right track

[T4 hobart VW]

Brilliant. I took your advice and had a go at the removing tumbler - worked like a charm.
Was as easy as you said.
Pushed the pin out and released the spring with the key in the tumbler and out it dropped.
Took off the passenger side door handle removed the tumbler and replaced it with the damaged one on the drivers door.
Presto no more getting in through the other doors. The key works like a charm. Ordered a set of tumblers from fleabay and once they arrive I’ll have a crack at re keying them. Got 4 for $18 delivered. Look just like the ones vw.
Thanks again - it’s simple if you know how.

[Seano]

Brilliant. I took your advice and had a go at the removing tumbler - worked like a charm.
Was as easy as you said.
Pushed the pin out and released the spring with the key in the tumbler and out it dropped.
Took off the passenger side door handle removed the tumbler and replaced it with the damaged one on the drivers door.
Presto no more getting in through the other doors. The key works like a charm. Ordered a set of tumblers from fleabay and once they arrive I’ll have a crack at re keying them. Got 4 for $18 delivered. Look just like the ones vw.
Thanks again - it’s simple if you know how.

No worries...

[WesleyBoyle]

I don't think this will be re-keyed by a locksmith because few days ago i called 24 hour locksmith near me for the same issue. But they won't be able to resolve it for me.