FAQ / Repairs

Problems that can be fixed easily

There could be several different reasons why your door will not lock:

  1. There is building movement and the latch/bolt does not line up with the strike in the frame, to fix this you will need to adjust the strike on the frame.
  2. The hinges are loose or worn and have dropped which is causing the strike to not line up, to fix this you will need to replace or tighten the hinges.
  3. There is an object in the frame causing the door not to close fully, remove the object. It can be a pebble/stone, twig or anything like that or even the new weather strip you have installed.

There can be several reasons why your key is not turning:

  1. Are you using the right key? Do check as we are sometimes in a hurry and pickup the wrong key.
  2. Have you lubricated your lock lately? The best lubricant is a wet lubricant with a lanolin, silicon or teflon base, powered graphite is no longer any good as it is a powder that falls to the bottom of the lock and not to the pins which are at the top of the lock barrel, by using graphite it also goes to the back of the lock and can stop the key from going in all the way.
  3. Is the key going into the lock all of the way? There could be a foreign object (stick, glue), in this case you would have to call us out to take the lock off or bring it to our workshop. Please call to arrange a time on 02 4351 1722.
    Now if your problem is with your car and the above has not worked most likely your lock needs some very important attention, if it’s your door lock you can do one of three things; 1) you can call us out to remove and repair your lock 2) bring the car to our workshop, or 3) remove the lock yourself and bring it to our workshop. Please call us for an appointment on 02 4351 1722.
  4. If it’s your car ignition lock and it is not turning then there is a major problem and sometimes you may have to replace the lock, but first you must remove the existing lock which you will need to call us out to repair/replace the lock and key it back to your original key. We have to order most car locks in so there is a waiting time, unless you purchase an original lock and we can fit it for you. Older Commodores VN-VZ I usually keep 1 in stock.

There can be several reasons why you are finding it hard to open a door:

  1. Have you checked the frame to see if there is anything jammed in the way as this can cause the key to turn a little but not fully, due to too much pressure on the latch/bolt. Remedy to fix this you might have to pull/push or even lift the door depending on which way it opens. This might allow you to loosen the pressure on the bolt and be able to turn the key.
  2. The door has dropped and the latch/bolt is rubbing on the strike in the frame, which also causes the latch/bolt not to retract. Remedy to fix this would be to lift the door by the handle and turn the key.
  3. This you can NOT fix by yourself and wouldn’t have to have a call out, as the latch/bolt has separated inside the door and the only way of fixing this is to remove the locks and retract the bolt, but it is not as simple as it sounds, you will need a locksmith.
  4. You may need to lubricate your lock as there could be metal rubbing on metal which makes it hard to open

With some of these problems you will need to adjust the door or locks so we can correct the problem, unless there is a major building movement.

There can be several reasons why your key is stuck in your lock:

  1. Have you just got a new key cut and it’s stuck in the lock? Most problems like this is that the key has a sharp part which has jammed it in the lock. The only fix for this is to call us on (02 4351 1722) or take the cylinder out and bring it to us. Please call before coming (02 4351 1722).
  2. The lock has not been lubricated in a while, to fix this, lubricate with wet lubricant (silicon, teflon or lanolin based lubricant). We suggest lanox as it is a marine grade lubricant, this can be purchased from most hardwares and auto parts shops. Supercheap auto also have a copy of the lanox which is also good and cheaper than lanox.
  3. The cam screws on the back of the cylinder is loose and causing the barrel of the back to move out a little bit with the key, this stops the key from being removed. The temporary fix for this is to hold your finger on the barrel and hold it in when pulling the key out. You will need to have the lock looked at to correct this problem as it will get worse and cause you to be locked out or even worse.

With some of these problems it is best to give us a call on (02 4351 1722).

This problem can be many things and without knowing the cause it is hard to give an answer. Most of the time it can be due to doors moving or building movement, other times it is the locks just breaking. I would recommend giving us a call and arranging a time to come out and repair the problem.