Replacing the door locks. This process will have you removing your old door lock cylinders, cutting the new cylinder arm to length, and reinstalling the locks. In fact, it’s a lot easier than you might think. Oh, one side note, if you haven’t already done so, you need to have the new locks keyed to match your existing keys. Most locksmiths can do this for about $7-$10 per cylinder.
First, remove the metal clip that holds the lock cylinder into the door. To locate this clip, open the door, look at the door jamb next to the door latch. You will see a tiny piece of metal that is bent at 90 degrees to the door shell. This is the retainer tab. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the clip loose and then use a pair of needle nose pliers to pull it out the rest of the way. With this clip removed you will be able to gently remove the door lock cylinder.
Once the clip is removed, you will need to compare the new lock cylinder to the old lock cylinder. On the back side of each cylinder will be a long, skinny square bar. On the new cylinder the bar will be longer than your stock bar. You will need to measure the old bar and cut the new one to the same length. Make sure to measure twice and cut once, as if you cut too much off, the lock cylinder will be worthless.
After you cut the bar to length, you will need to reinstall the old door lock cylinder gasket, or install a new gasket -- recommended -- and re-install the lock cylinder into the door. Line up the new cylinder with the door, and while looking in through the hole in the door shell, note the orientation of the receiving end of the mechanism attached to the linkages. You will see a small square opening. This is where the square bar will be inserted. Inserting the key into the lock will allow you to adjust the position of the bar quickly and easily.
Once the bar is inserted into the receiving end, you can re-install the retainer clip. At this point, use the key to ensure that the lock is working properly.
First, remove the metal clip that holds the lock cylinder into the door. To locate this clip, open the door, look at the door jamb next to the door latch. You will see a tiny piece of metal that is bent at 90 degrees to the door shell. This is the retainer tab. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the clip loose and then use a pair of needle nose pliers to pull it out the rest of the way. With this clip removed you will be able to gently remove the door lock cylinder.
Once the clip is removed, you will need to compare the new lock cylinder to the old lock cylinder. On the back side of each cylinder will be a long, skinny square bar. On the new cylinder the bar will be longer than your stock bar. You will need to measure the old bar and cut the new one to the same length. Make sure to measure twice and cut once, as if you cut too much off, the lock cylinder will be worthless.
After you cut the bar to length, you will need to reinstall the old door lock cylinder gasket, or install a new gasket -- recommended -- and re-install the lock cylinder into the door. Line up the new cylinder with the door, and while looking in through the hole in the door shell, note the orientation of the receiving end of the mechanism attached to the linkages. You will see a small square opening. This is where the square bar will be inserted. Inserting the key into the lock will allow you to adjust the position of the bar quickly and easily.
Once the bar is inserted into the receiving end, you can re-install the retainer clip. At this point, use the key to ensure that the lock is working properly.