Car Locks Repair

A typical car locksmith will be able to work with both manual and power door locks. Manual lock issues are more common however, they can be difficult to solve.

A good preventative measure is to use a door lock lubricant in winter such as WD-40. It will displace moisture and stop it from freezing within the keyhole.

Door Lock Cylinder Replacement

It's a good idea replace the door lock cylinders immediately when you have lost your car keys or suspect someone else has. This will ensure that you're the only person who can access your vehicle and keep thieves and other unauthorized people out of it. Unfortunately replacing a car's door cylinder can be quite difficult, as it requires at minimum dismantling of the interior door panel in the majority of instances. It's not something the majority of people would prefer to tackle on their own. It can be dangerous if done incorrectly.

The lock cylinder is removed from the handle first. You'll have to locate the screw at the top of the housing (usually the upper right corner). It may be hidden under plastic pieces or barely visible. If you cannot locate it, use a screwdriver to remove the trim panels blocking your view of the screw. Make use of a pick, an Awl, or a small screwdriver and remove the lock cylinder tab. Then, pull the cylinder out of the housing.

After you have the cylinder removed from the lock, there are a few things to do to prepare it to be used. The keyway needs to be cleared of grease and dirt and the cylinder needs to be lubricated to keep it from squeezing into the lock. This can be done by using brake cleaner. It will clean and lubricate all the components of the lock's cylinder. After cleaning the cylinder, you can remove the 10mm bolt that holds the handle to the cylinder housing using an screwdriver.

You can then install the new cylinder and use it with your original key. It is a good idea to get a cylinder that matches the brand and model of the one you have, as this will be more likely to fit correctly and will provide a secure seal. After it's installed and the door is tested, make sure that the lock is working correctly and that the door is shut securely.

Door Lock Cylinder Repair

The lock cylinder on your car is the part the key is inserted to unlock or lock the door. If you're having difficulty turning the key inside the lock or it becomes stuck, it's a sign that the cylinder of your door may be damaged and require replacement.

It's usually situated near the door handle, however some vehicles have them hidden behind a plastic piece. When you turn the key, the pins in the cylinder align with the cuts on the head of the key, allowing you move the lock and unlock the car door. If you have a surface mounted cylinder take off the faceplate on the door handle. Unscrew any or all cylinder setscrews.

After the screw has been removed, you can spin it so that you can take the door off. Put the screws in a bag or in a safe location to replace them in the future. Then, take the key and place it inside the lock to determine whether the tumblers or pins are moving freely or becoming stuck. If the cylinder is stuck, or you feel or hear clicking then it's time to replace it.

You can buy new cylinders for your vehicle at any auto parts store but you'll need know the model and make of your vehicle before you shop. You can also contact locksmiths to change your door cylinder. They will be able match the new lock to your existing key, so you will be able to continue using your original lock.

The most frequent issue with the cylinder for a car lock is that it doesn't turn when you try to use your key. This could be due corrosion or dirt that has accumulated, which prevents the cylinder from moving freely. It is easy to fix this issue by lubricating your mechanism. You can apply brake cleaner to get rid of any rust or grime or commercial lubricant like white grease. This method only works on a cylinder that is jammed. It won't fix any other problems.

Door Lock Repair

A door lock may become jammed due to rust, dirt or other debris. You can often fix this by spraying the lock with a lubricant like WD-40. This will help unblock the mechanism, and will also stop the problem from occurring in the future. If you cannot turn the lock, try wiggle the rod using needle-nosed pliers. If this fails, a locksmith should be called to replace the lock.

Another issue that is common to door locks is misalignment. This could make it difficult to use the lock. It is it can also be a security issue since it makes it easier to get through the door in an attempt to gain entry. This problem can be corrected by a locksmith, but it is usually possible to solve the issue yourself.

Begin by inspecting the lock to determine what is causing it to not function correctly. If the issue is due to an incorrectly aligned strike plate or deadbolt, tighten the screws that hold these items. Then, reposition the strike plate and bolt to ensure that they are aligned correctly with the door frame.

If the issue is that the key will not insert or turn, a little graphite in the keyhole might help resolve this issue. You can apply graphite by squeezing the tube or dusting the key with a spare. Put the key in, and then operate it for a few times to activate the graphite in the mechanism. If this does not work, you may remove the door knob and inspect the spindle. it might be worn out.

The procedure to remove the read more door handle or door panel is different from vehicle to vehicle, however the general procedure is the same. After you have removed the panel, you'll be required to find the set screws that are holding the lock cylinder. These are located on the inside of the handle or in the middle of the panel depending on the model. Unscrew the screws, and then reposition the cylinder so that it is aligned correctly with the keyway. It is possible to damage the components if you tighten too much the screws.

Door Lock Replacement

If your lock is worn-out or appears old, replacing it will give you a fresh new appearance. This is a simple job that you can accomplish at home in a few steps. Make sure you take the time to take measurements of your door's latch and deadbolt settings, as you will need to make sure that the new locks are set correctly.

Begin by taking off the screws that secure the knob plate inside to the door. Then, pull the knob and latch off. If the interior plate is decorative and has no screws, gently lift it up using a screwdriver. It could be secured by pins or it could break off at the edge. Once the plate has been removed, you can take off the deadbolt as well as the latch.

Now is the time to set the new plates for your lock in place. Make sure the interior and exterior plates are aligned over the deadbolt hole in the jamb of the door and the long spindle made of metal from the lock cylinder mechanism going through both holes. Once the plates are in place, hand-thread the screws into the holes to hold the plates together. If the plate doesn't have any screw holes, you can simply slide it on the latch.

Use the screws that came with your new lock kit instead of the ones you already have. Instead make use of the screws included in the new lock kit. If you don't have the correct size screws, visit a home improvement or hardware shop and purchase a set of screws that are compatible with the hardware on your new door lock.

Make sure your new deadbolts and latch plates are of the same length as originals, and that they're aligned with the hole in the jamb. Once all the parts are in place and tightened, tighten the screws. Now you can test the latch and deadbolt by using your key. If the key won't turn then it's time to contact a locksmith.