Ideas for a non functioning lock?

[CaseyKane50]

You might try squirting some graphite lubricant into the lock and on the key. I’ll bring some to WTFC tomorrow

[lordofthemark]

@CaseyKane50 198278 wrote:

You might try squirting some graphite lubricant into the lock and on the key. I’ll bring some to WTFC tomorrow

Thanks, but

I will probably not be able to conveniently arrive at coffee club tomorrow (and if I do, it will be because I’ve already solved the problem )

Will you be at the PY North meeting tomorrow evening?

[Steve O]

@lordofthemark 198280 wrote:

Thanks, but

I will probably not be able to conveniently arrive at coffee club tomorrow (and if I do, it will be because I’ve already solved the problem )

(psst! N+1)

[n18]

Next time you buy a U-Lock, fill the keyhole with grease(not oil). The idea is that grease stays there so water has no place to enter. If you use oil, water will displace it over time. Do that every few months. After adding grease, insert your key, then take it out and remove excess grease. Repeat as needed so when using your keys, no grease gets on your hands. My current U-Lock lasted several years that way. My first U-Lock(OnGuard) lasted only 4 months without this method.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Spray generously with WD-40 to clean out the dirt and/or rust and get the key in and the lock moving. Let sit for a bit to let the WD-40 evaporate, then use actual oil/lube for long-term lubrication. Depending on how gunked up it is, just using lube and not bothering with WD-40 may be sufficient.

I’m a fan of Tri-Flow spray as my non-drivetrain lubricant.

[Emm]

Is it a kryptonite by chance? If so, keep playing around with it. I have seen 3-4 do this, and eventually, they all open. I stopped using kryptonite’s after seeing it occur so many times, and had it occur to me. It took me 20 minutes of playing with the lock, fidgeting the key around to get it to open. Just don’t play so hard the key snaps in the lock…

[wheelswings]

Just seeing this now… I can bring over my can of graphite tonight if you’d like. PM me here or send a Strava note if you want to give it a try. w&w

[CaseyKane50]

@CaseyKane50 198278 wrote:

You might try squirting some graphite lubricant into the lock and on the key. I’ll bring some to WTFC tomorrow

Yes, I plan to be there. I will bring the graphite in case the other suggestions don’t work.

[lordofthemark]

@CaseyKane50 198308 wrote:

Yes, I plan to be there. I will bring the graphite in case the other suggestions don’t work.

Thanks so much, I will see you there then. I will let you know if Emm’s idea works (but my lock is OnGuard).

Thanks also to W&W for your offer.

[huskerdont]

Happened to me with a Kryptonite, but luckily with the lock only on the rack at work where I leave it, not on the bike. I looked into it and Kryptonite suggests what others are saying, but it’s still there on the rack years later because I would never trust it again since who wants to not be able to readily unlock their bike? So I’d say, if the lubrication solutions don’t work, just cut the lock and get another one.

ETA that if you need to do this, a carbide grit hacksaw blade would be needed; a regular blade would likely not be up to the task.

[Crickey7]

I had this problem with that brand of lock–it was like the tumblers themselves got out of alignment. A couple of times, it took upwards of 20 minutes to coax them back into alignment. What worked was keeping the key in and jostling the cylinder, even some tapping against a hard floor.

[drevil]

@huskerdont 198325 wrote:

Happened to me with a Kryptonite, but luckily with the lock only on the rack at work where I leave it, not on the bike. I looked into it and Kryptonite suggests what others are saying, but it’s still there on the rack years later because I would never trust it again since who wants to not be able to readily unlock their bike? So I’d say, if the lubrication solutions don’t work, just cut the lock and get another one.

I have a bunch of different U-locks (Abus, Krypto, On Guard). Even though they’re more expensive, I’ve never had an issue with Abus. I’ve have had the stuck lock issues with my Kryptos and On Guard. I did the lube drenching methods to unstick them, but it’s always a PITA.

[Steve O]

@drevil 198330 wrote:

I’ve never had an issue with Abus..

My Abus makes me nervous. Many times I will turn the key and the lock will not disengage. Sometimes it takes 3-6 retries to get it to unlock. I’ve noticed that it tends to be worse when the crossbar is below the U, so I’m careful when I lock it to put the U below the crossbar. I am actually afraid that one day I will not get it to open for me.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

My Abus is can be sticky — the channel cut into the ends of the U has right angles. It makes the cylinder easier to bind up. Other locks the channel has rounded edges and is more forgiving (and easier to defeat with prying, maybe?). I’m a fan of using T-9 in both the U-lock holes and the lock cylinder. I do this proactively a few times over winter or after it’s been in the rain a couple of times.

[huskerdont]

My Abus has never had a problem and is the cleanest working lock I’ve owned, but it stays on a bike in in the basement so doesn’t get jostled so who knows. I did have an OnGuard that was like Crickey’s that I stopped using since it was a PITA. I seem to remember part of their marketing was that if it was hard for you to use, it would be hard for a criminal to pick. Whatevs on that.

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