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Schlage deadbolt won't retract

PostPosted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 3:32 pm
by pickmonger2
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.

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

PostPosted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 4:07 pm
by Patrick Star
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...)

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

PostPosted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 4:32 pm
by Robotnik
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.

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

PostPosted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 6:37 pm
by HT4
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.

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

PostPosted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 9:27 pm
by Altashot
Bang the door with your elbow, the tail piece might slide back in the plug.
It worked a few times for me.

M.

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

PostPosted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 9:32 am
by dmasters
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.

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

PostPosted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 11:36 am
by Papa Gleb
This is why high security locks provide ball bearings so you put them in before screwing in the assemble bolts.

Re: Schlage deadbolt won't retract

PostPosted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 12:09 pm
by pickmonger2
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.