House-Key is stuck in door lock

Jul 21, 2012 10 Replies

I had to paint my French patio door. I removed the latch lock and the deadbolt lock, a 30-year old Schlage product. Both locks are brass but, being outside locks, they are somewhat corroded.



The deadbolt lock has keys for the inside and outside. When I reassembled the deadbolt lock, the key would move the bolt, but the key cannot be removed from the inside cylinder. The key turns the cylinder but the key is stuck in the cylinder.



I was thinking of inserting some liquid wrench through the key-lock next to the stuck key. Would that be OK or gum things up completely



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Thanks


Liquid Wrench may or may not work, I don't know???

Graphite based Lock-Ease is what you want, your local hardware or auto parts store should have it.

Was the key left in the cylinder for a period of time? IOW, did it have time to corrode in place? If not, you may not have the lock aligned properly and the key pull isn't where you think it is.

Take the cylinder out and soak it.

Nothing but adds loaded.

Take the lock apart again. Behind where the key goes in, there may be a screw on cap, that holds the plug in. Might have to depress a pin, and tighten the screw on cap a bit.

Liquid wrench (and graphited lock fluid) tend to dry up after a while. I use WD-40, or spray silicone.

The server must be terribly busy, I could not get that picture on my browser.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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The deadbolt lock has keys for the inside and outside. When I reassembled the deadbolt lock, the key would move the bolt, but the key cannot be removed from the inside cylinder. The key turns the cylinder but the key is stuck in the cylinder.

I was thinking of inserting some liquid wrench through the key-lock next to the stuck key. Would that be OK or gum things up completely

formatting link
Thanks

If the key worked before you removed the lock, you did something wrong when you put it back on the door (or broke something in the lock). Remove the lock again, try to remove the key with the lock off the door. Liquid wrench or WD40 should be ok to use, silicone spray is better (comes in spray cans similar looking to the others). If key still wont come out of lock with the lock off the door, and some lubrication added, take the lock to a locksmith, or just replace it.

Ah, soaking the cylinder in a solvent, perhaps followed by a light lubricant, should do it then.

Pick up some air tool oil and soak the assembly in that for a day or so.

LOL...

You are putting the lock together improperly...

Bolt position (either extended or retracted) is important...

Also why are you leaving a key in the cylinder during assembly unless that is a required step in the process...

Sounds like a "timing" issue -- bolt state, keyway plug position (should be empty at key pull) and the orientation of the tailpiece from the exterior cylinder are all factors which can cause your problem...

Status report:

I finally got the key out.

Google to the rescue: Pointed me to the U-tube video:

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I adjusted the setting and out came the key.

Thanks everyone

>

With new eyes this morning, I see your double deadbolt is a Schlage. You likely have a tailpiece timing error. Very, very common problem.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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The key won't come out if the lock is between the locked and unlocked position. This would be the first thing I would suspect.

Jimmie

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