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Wedge TR8 Ignition Lock & Switch Repair & Replacement

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MGTF1250Dave

MGTF1250Dave

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Aloha All,

A friend in my car club recently had some one attempt to steal their TR8. The would be thief used a screw driver to try and force the lock. The result is it didn't work, but now the lock is damaged and the key can not be used. A quick search on the Internet reveals that the TR8 is not a well documented Triumph and resources are few.

Based on a review of parts catalogs it seems that the lock and key portion is a separate part from the electrical harness and switch. Unfortunately, the lock mechanism is not supplied. I did find on e-bay some one offering a lock & key for Spitfire 1500 that state it can be used on a TR7 or 8.

Can any of you TR8 owners suggest a parts source, repair procedure or even technical drawings. Is this perhaps something a locksmith could fix?

Mahalo for any assistance offered.
 
Aloha Don,

I believe it is a drop head coupe. It is registered as a 1980 and I've never seen the car. I have left a phone message with the owner to get that confirmed but have not heard back yet.
 
Dave- the reason I ask.
Why would anyone with a DHC lock their car. The top cost alone is ...

My bad, just reread your thread. For some reason I thought you where talking about the door lock :blush: :blush: :blush:
 
Aloha Don,

Your right about door locks on a convertible. I don't even lock the boot. I would hate to have some booze smash the lock to find nothing worth much in there.
 
You are correct in that there are two parts to the ignition key mechanism...one is what i call the tumbler the other is the harness. I replaced the harness side on my TR8 last year...can't recall the compatibility of the 7 versus 8 but I think they swap out.


I think a TR7 tumbler section will bolt up to the harness... Finding a used one to try should not be too bad.

So if you steal a car on an island...where do you go with it? :wink:
 
You might try taking the lock to a locksmith and having it repaired. The break away bolt heads can be a problem, but I have had good luck with a hammer and cold chizel at the outer radius. The bolts can be replaced with standard metric hardware or the original break away ones can be gotten from the usual suspects. My wife and I enjoy teasing each other with "did you lock the car?" when we get out and the top is down. One can't be too careful.
 
I bought a boot and cubby lock off eBay so I can see if I can rekey them to the ignition so I only have 1 key.

Doors don't even have a lock on the handle
 
My 8FHC had a tendancy to have the key just fall out of the ignition. I would be driving and the key would vibrate out of the well worn tumbler. I swapped out a 7 tumbler. It was direct swap
 
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