Originally Posted by
Sashko
Just to confirm: the sliding latch is the part that turns with the key and locks the two ends of U part of the lock, right?
Yes, by the sliding latch I mean the part that you see slide back and forth when you turn the key without the U-bar. That's steel, and needs oil or grease as does the mechanism it slides in. The part where you put the key needs only the lightest of lubes like WD-40 or what they sell for car door cylinders.