Yale-Lock jammed - any advice?

[zcacogp]

Chaps,

Posted on behalf of a friend ... their front door is no opening as their yale lock is jammed. Jammed as in, you can put the key in and turn it (say 20degrees in each direction) but it comes to a firm stop. Normally you would need 45degrees or more to open the door.

It jams in the same position regardless of whether you turn it left or right.

I have been to look at it, and it really won't open. I have tried putting some oil on the key and into the lock, but it didn't make any difference. It make it run better for the amount that it would turn, but it still came to the definite stop.

I don't want to apply lots of force for fear of breaking the key off.

Any suggestions?

There are other means of getting in (windows etc) but these are a pain. The friend will be staying with us this evening, and we'll try again tomorrow, so any suggestions in the next 12 hours or so would be very welcome! (Yes, the next 12 hours being 9.00pm - 9.00am on a Bank Holiday Sunday evening, so not exactly when PH is a hive of activity!)

Thanks in advance ....


Oli.

[VictorMeldrew]

Just in case there is detritus jamming the mechanism, you could try a bit of percussion on the face of the lock with a hammer.

Ok, yes, I'm old school - if it doesn't work, bash it!

[B.Ashley]

tap the lock using a screw driver and hammer. The try the key. remember to wiggle th ekey in many many directions to see if it frees the problem. Then fit a new insert which are peanuts to buy and simple to fit.

[zcacogp]

VM,

Thanks. Tried it (I am old school as well!) No joy.

To clarify, the lock seems to move smoothly for the distance you can move it, it just stops there. The tongue (bit that moves in and out and physically locks the door closed) isn't stuck on the door, I don't think, as I can pull the door in a tiny amount, and the tongue moves back and forth in the aperture it moves into.

I know that Chubb locks can often be un-jammed by wiggling the key up and down and side to side as you turn it, but this technique hasn't worked with this Yale lock.

Thanks again for suggestions.


Oli.

[zcacogp]

B.Ashley said:

tap the lock using a screw driver and hammer. The try the key. remember to wiggle th ekey in many many directions to see if it frees the problem. Then fit a new insert which are peanuts to buy and simple to fit.

B Ashley - thanks. You mean, literally tap the lock to vibrate it a bit? See if something has dropped out of place which can be 'vibrated' back into place?

Good idea. We'll try that, thanks.

Any other suggestions?


Oli.

[F.M]

push & pull the door firmly whilst turning the key...although that seems obvious...tap it with a screwdriver whilst turning as it goes in to jump the springs...?

[Brink]

The lock may have been chattacked.

[Simpo Two]

Are you sure the locking doofah hasn't been engaged on the inside?

[lotisi]

Gentle kick the bottom of the door to make the lock vibrate as you operate, if that doesn't work kick it less gently.
If in doubt give it a clout, the bigger the doubt the bigger the clout

[zcacogp]

Guys,

OK, it seems the concensus is to tap it gently or firmly to see if it springs it.

Has the locking dufus been engaged on the inside? I'm not sure how it could have been - the friends left the house and closed the door behind them.

Has the lock been attacked? There is no sign of it.

Wiggling the key - tried it (as per Chubb locks) but it got nowhere.

Keep 'em suggestions coming chaps.

And thanks.


Oli.

[Turbo5]

Ask a scouser or a Manc they will open it for you

[andy_quantum]

If I had the option to get in through another way, I'd do that then open it up from the inside, then take the lock off

I know thats probably not what you want to do, so how about you just tt it with a hammer, and then drill it if it still sticks?

[markmullen]

I can get my brother round with his big red master key if that helps

[mybrainhurts]

I've had this about three times in two years...

Wiggling the key freed it eventually....

If all else fails, call in the professionals......

[Biker's Nemesis]

Use the back door.

[B.Ashley]

If it wont go. Nice quality cordless and some nice drill bits. take your time and work your way up in size.

[Autonotiv]

you need a new lock,

(getscoatandstartswalking)

[mybrainhurts]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Use the back door.

Stop it, you'll get Vixpy going...

[tertius]

Change it for a lock from Banham.

But seriously (actually that was serious), I bet, ooh ... 10p that the latch was clicked down while the door was open and the door was then slammed shut.

ALternatively call a locksmith, apparently they have expertise in these problems ...

Oh, and change it for a lock from Banham.

[mybrainhurts]

Is that near Shorpe...?