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Schlage deadbolt won't retract

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pickmonger2

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Post Thu Oct 20, 2016 3:32 pm

Schlage deadbolt won't retract

The key rotates ok in the lock. Unfortunately the piece that connects the rotating cylinder to the deadbolt has been broken off.

It's in an apartment on the 9th floor so a window approach is not an option.

The lock is master keyed so a simple drill and replace is not an option.

I was hoping that rather than drilling the pins I could drill a hole at an angle to access the guts of the lock and retract the deadbolt with a piece of wire.

Does anyone know if this could work.
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Patrick Star

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Post Thu Oct 20, 2016 4:07 pm

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

Drill/grind an opening in the front of the plug and shim it?

(Edit: After re-reading the question I realize this wouldn't help :) I read the question as "how do I destructively opening it without breaking the pins". I'll let the answer stand however since it's an useful technique for THAT scenario...)
Last edited by Patrick Star on Thu Oct 27, 2016 3:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Robotnik

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Post Thu Oct 20, 2016 4:32 pm

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

Drill for the mounting screws. Hit them right, the screws will back out as soon as the bit grabs them. You'll have to replace the assembly, but the cylinder will be intact.

Edit: by assembly, I mean the exterior portion and screws. Interior thumbturn and bolt should be re-useable, as well as the cylinder.
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HT4

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Post Thu Oct 20, 2016 6:37 pm

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

Robotnik wrote: Hit them right, the screws will back out as soon as the bit grabs them.


Never thought of that... neat little tidbit of information. Thanks.
Check out my "LockPickingLawyer" YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9K6rby98W8JigLoZOh6FQ/videos
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Altashot

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Post Thu Oct 20, 2016 9:27 pm

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

Bang the door with your elbow, the tail piece might slide back in the plug.
It worked a few times for me.

M.
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dmasters

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Post Fri Oct 21, 2016 9:32 am

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

Robotnik is dead-on, done this many times.

Depending on the age and model of the lock, another method would be to angle-drill behind the escutcheon into the crossbore and jimmy the latch back with a piece of music wire, saves the lock and the cylinder. Worst case the door would need a goof plate. Newer models and higher-grade locks come with shielding to deter (but not entirely prevent) this attack.
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Papa Gleb

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Post Fri Oct 21, 2016 11:36 am

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

This is why high security locks provide ball bearings so you put them in before screwing in the assemble bolts.
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pickmonger2

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Location: Ontario

Post Fri Oct 21, 2016 12:09 pm

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

Thank you all for the suggestions.

I like the suggestion from dmasters the best.

I have a number of bolts and I am going to practice retracting the bolt with a wire.

This technique sounds like an excellent technique to learn for certain lockout situations.

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