How to Change a Kwikset Door Lock Tumbler
One of the first things that new home owners do is to re-key all of the locks. Changing the tumblers is one of the easiest ways to increase the security of the home without having to spend too much money in the very beginning. Kwikset tumblers can be changed without too much difficulty with the aide of a re-keying kit commercially available at most home improvement stores. These kits include everything necessary to change a Kwikset door lock tumbler in less than half an hour. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Kwikset compatible re-keying kit
- Phillips-head screwdriver
- Flat-head screwdriver
Instructions
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Cylinder Plug Removal
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1
Remove the door knob from the door. Unlock the knob with the key if necessary and remove the screws holding the knob to the door with a screwdriver. Pull the interior and exterior knobs away from the door to remove the knob assembly.
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2
Locate the small tab between the back of the door handle plate and the semi round stem that covers one side of the spindle on the outside door handle. Use a flat-head screwdriver to align the tab with the two sides of the semi-round stem.
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3
Identify the cylinder removal tool. This tool is included in the re-keying kit. It is long and round with one pointed tip and a forked end on the opposite side. Insert the pointed end into the center of the spindle and turn the spindle until the bottom of the tab lines up with the mounting sleeves on the door handle.
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4
Insert the flat-head screwdriver at the base of the spindle, under the retaining clip. Turn the doorknob so that the spindle is perpendicular to the floor. Use the flat-head screwdriver to pry the spindle from the door knob. Look at the interior of the knob and locate the upper hole in the retainer clip, near the semi-round stem. Place one of the forks of the cylinder removal tool inside of the hole and angle the tool between the semi-round stem and the retainer clip.
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5
Push the cylinder down with the cylinder removal tool to disengage the spring clip and remove the cylinder from the knob.
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6
Slide the forked end of the cylinder removal tool between the plug retainer and the cylinder plug. Push the retainer away from the plug. Insert the current key into the cylinder and turn it 45 degrees to the right. Use the plug follower, the short tube with the same diameter as the cylinder hole, to push the plug completely out of the cylinder hole. The plug follower is now protruding from both sides of the cylinder hole.
Changing the Tumblers
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7
Turn the plug over and remove the current set of tumblers. Remove the old key and replace it with the new key from the kit. Follow the kit specific instructions on the order the new tumblers should take. Each kit will vary slightly, but the tumblers will be flush with the plug if done correctly.
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8
Reinsert the plug into the cylinder. Place the plug against the protruding end of the plug follower and push until the follower comes out of the cylinder and the plug is flush with the outside edge of the cylinder. Use the cylinder removal tool to slide the plug retainer back in place over the end of the plug.
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9
Slide the cylinder back into the doorknob until the spring retainer clicks. Remove the key from the lock and tabbed end of the spindle over the semi-round stem.
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10
Push the spindle into its retainer until it clicks into place. Use the cylinder removal tool to twist the spindle clockwise until the tab is no longer aligned with the door mounting sleeves.
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11
Insert both halves of the doorknob assembly into the door and secure both handles with their respective retaining screws.
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1
References
- Photo Credit doorknob image by tofuwarrior from Fotolia.com
