Key not turning in Kryptonite U-Lock

Hello,

I'm looking for ideas of why my U-lock might not be working.  First off, my bike is NOT attached to it--very, very thankfully at the point I discovered it wasn't working, I was trying to lock it up outside my apartment and just brought it inside.

I cannot turn the key to lock my Kryptonite U-lock.  The key goes in.  It will turn to lock if it is NOT attached to the U part of the lock.  It will not turn to lock when it IS attached to the U.  

In looking at the lock, I can't see any overt reason why it's not locking.  It's about 3 years old, so it might be time for a new one, but I was hoping to salvage it for at least a couple rides in the meantime until I can pick up a new one.

Other folks' experience with this?

Thanks. 

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on April 3, 2013 at 2:53pm
Have you ever lubed it? Put a few drops of chain lube into the holes where the "U" goes, and a drop where the key enters. Work the key back and forth so the tumbler(s) engage and disengage. Sop up any excess lube with a rag stuffed in the holes and rotate. Now try it with the "U" inserted.
Permalink Reply by Megan H on April 3, 2013 at 3:20pm

+1 to chain lube. I've given new life to old locks that way.

Permalink Reply by Michael A on April 3, 2013 at 3:40pm

Check to see if there is any debris in the lock body where the U part goes in, it sounds like the U will not go into the body far enough to let the mechanism latch. You can try a Q-tip to wipe out any debris in that opening, after cleaning use  chain lube .

Permalink Reply by S on April 3, 2013 at 4:34pm

Chain lube might work in a pinch, but I'd look into getting graphite or a dry lube to use instead.  The problem with chain lube is that it stays liquid and it'll attract dirt and dust and will probably gum up the lock after a while.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on April 3, 2013 at 4:45pm
Some locks come with a metal piece screwed onto the shackle that allows the lock to be attached to your bike using a plastic bracket that you attach on to the frame.

Whenever i have problems using my lock, it is that this piece has moved and prevents the shackle from being inserted into the lock properly.
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 3, 2013 at 5:09pm

Tri-flow, WD-40 or something light and penetrating to flush it out until the key can move and the lock mechanism does its thing when the shackle isn't even involved yet.  Then try and lock it to the shackle.

If the shackle causes a problem then the receiving cavities are blocking it somehow so they can't engage all the way.  Keep flushing with light lube and brushing away any debris until it works freely with and without the shackle.

Then shake out any excess lube/penetrant and wipe dry.  At that point it is time for some graphite.  This time of year it's not a big deal what you are using for a lube, but come winter it's a good idea to clean and dry it out and use a dry lube before it gets to be freezing out again. 

Permalink Reply by Mollie on April 4, 2013 at 12:49am

Thanks, all!

Lube + q-tip gave the lock a long overdue cleaning, but did not solve it in this case.

Duppie, I noticed that there's a gap between the metal piece and the black rubber that goes around the shackle (though this could also be attributed to that black rubber wearing away on some parts of the lock).  I couldn't get the metal piece to move, but when I took off the black rubber circle at the top of the shackle, I could lock it.  I put the rubber circle back on, and I can now get it to lock if I push down over that rubber circle and create more space there.  That works for now.  Any thoughts on how to get that metal piece to move?

Permalink Reply by Duppie on April 4, 2013 at 1:45am

There should be a small screw or allen bolt on the side of it, loosen that, move the metal piece away from the lock. Re-tighten it.

Mollie said:

Thanks, all!

Lube + q-tip gave the lock a long overdue cleaning, but did not solve it in this case.

Duppie, I noticed that there's a gap between the metal piece and the black rubber that goes around the shackle (though this could also be attributed to that black rubber wearing away on some parts of the lock).  I couldn't get the metal piece to move, but when I took off the black rubber circle at the top of the shackle, I could lock it.  I put the rubber circle back on, and I can now get it to lock if I push down over that rubber circle and create more space there.  That works for now.  Any thoughts on how to get that metal piece to move?

Permalink Reply by Mollie on April 4, 2013 at 3:52am

Since it's an odd shape of a screw, I wasn't sure if there were other options, seeing as how it moved on it's own in the first place.

 

In any case, all it took was the bumpy commute because when I locked it up at work, the metal piece was back in place.  I guess it's a gravity issue because I've started riding with it in my rack (lock at top, shackle down), but for my commute it was in a milk crate (lock on bottom, shackle up).

 

Hmmm...nevermind, that's actually backwards from how it should work if it was just gravity.  I will pay attention to the gap with the metal piece depending on how I ride with the lock and how it's been jostled.

 

I'm just glad it's working, and I have an idea of things to pay attention to if this happens again.

 

Thanks again.

Duppie 13.5185km said:

There should be a small screw or allen bolt on the side of it, loosen that, move the metal piece away from the lock. Re-tighten it.

Mollie said:

Thanks, all!

Lube + q-tip gave the lock a long overdue cleaning, but did not solve it in this case.

Duppie, I noticed that there's a gap between the metal piece and the black rubber that goes around the shackle (though this could also be attributed to that black rubber wearing away on some parts of the lock).  I couldn't get the metal piece to move, but when I took off the black rubber circle at the top of the shackle, I could lock it.  I put the rubber circle back on, and I can now get it to lock if I push down over that rubber circle and create more space there.  That works for now.  Any thoughts on how to get that metal piece to move?

Permalink Reply by Megan H on April 4, 2013 at 4:14am

Thinking about this again and reading your followup, I realize I had this same problem with my Kryptonite. I took the metal piece off (I think it was a hex screw, but it may have been a Torx?). I never use the frame mount for the lock, anyway. Now if I have a problem again while I'm out, my first solution is to shift the rubber gasket up to see if that helps.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on April 4, 2013 at 5:36am

Lube.

Permalink Reply by Gecko on April 4, 2013 at 10:18am

What was the point of this?  The problem has been solved already (not using lube, if you read the thread).

All that comes to mind is that you think "lube" is a funny word, or that you again felt the need to compulsively comment on something for no reason.  Honestly, 12 year old trolls are more mature and relevant.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

Lube.

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