Door Latch Lubrication

[Magus732]

So, my 2000 Taurus with 142k miles decided she doesn't like to keep her front doors shut when it's below 20 or so degrees. I know after almost 20 years, the "lube" in the door latch's internal mechanism is probably total crap by now, if it's even still there. After she warms up, it's fine, but it means driving with the door partly hanging open until then.

My question is:
Other than removing the door panels, is there any way to get lubricating oil/fluid into the inside of the door latch, or do I simply have to remove them to do anything about this?

In case it hasn't become clear, I really, really, really don't want to have to remove the damn door panels, because althought right now it's only the front doors, with only hand tools to work with, it's going to take me forever to do both sides of the car.

I can take them off, again, to be clear; I simply don't want to waste time doing that if there's an easier way of doing it.

[warment]

I just went through this on my driver's door 2 days ago. I sprayed the latch/mechanism with silicone spray and didn't remove anything. It worked well this morning at less than 10 degrees.

[warment]

Then the pass door acted up this morning...wouldn't latch...so I sprayed it along with the other doors and trunk. I honestly think the problem is caused by the rubber coating on the mechanism. I have cut and pulled out what I could on other cars. Seems to help.

[Magus732]

That's good to know; I'll try that after it comes back from getting the engine rebuilt. Her cylinder heads are warped from overheating; the water pump failed, the engine overheated in the -30 windchill yesterday, and the heads are egg-shaped now, so they have to be replaced. And so does the water pump.

[warment]

Wow. Good luck. I am about to go over 317k on my five hundred. I bought my mom a 2003 taurus Vulcan in 2003. Still has it and it runs great. Has a leaky timing cover though.

[Magus732]

Wow. Good luck. I am about to go over 317k on my five hundred. I bought my mom a 2003 taurus Vulcan in 2003. Still has it and it runs great. Has a leaky timing cover though.

Got the money approved for the repair.
You might want to have someone look at that timing cover; those leaks are only going to get worse.