Why repairing a lock should begin not with lubrication, but with understanding the reason
Let's call the client Sergei. The key started to stick a little. The first advice that Sergey received: This seems like a simple solution. But eating can…
The client's name has been changed.
Let's call the client Sergei. The key started to stick a little. The first advice that Sergey received:
“Just lubricate it with something.”
This seems like a simple solution. But eating can have different causes. In the provided repair material, diagnostics is the first step: first, the nature and extent of the damage is determined, and only then the restoration method is selected.
Why does the same symptom occur with different faults?
Phrase: “the key turns hard” may mean:
- pollution;
- cylinder wear;
- damaged key;
- door skew;
- load on crossbars;
- internal damage.
Lubrication may only be relevant for some of these cases.
The most useful check is an open door
If the design allows, compare: how does the lock work when the door is open and how it works when closed. If the open mechanism operates easily, but there is sudden resistance when closing, the problem may be in the geometry of the door, and not in the cylinder.
Why a random remedy may not help
Not every oil or aerosol is designed for locking mechanisms. Some compounds are capable of retaining dust and dirt. The source material for the cylinders separately recommends specialized products and warns against conventional oil precisely because of the accumulation of dust.
When exactly is diagnostics needed?
If at the same time:
- the key gets stuck;
- a crunch appeared;
- the problem is getting worse quickly;
- the key is deformed;
- the lock was previously exposed to external influences.