Deadbolt Tailpiece Clips - What To Do When Cylinder Spins

If your residential deadbolt cylinder just spins around when you try to use your key, that can because of a number of factors.

If you have a Kwikset deadbolt, a spinning means

1. The part of the the tailpiece where it is attached to the deadbolt and held on by the clip, has shattered.
2. The clip that holds the tailpiece on has shattered.
3. The clip has just come off slightly

Go to your local hardware store.  In the event you cannot find parts, a new Kwikset deadbolt is not very expensive.  Just use the parts in the box and retain your existing keyed cylinder.

If you have a Callin deadbolt, s spinning cylinder means

1. The deadbolt mechanism that retracts and inserts the actual bolt may have shattered.  In this case, the thumb turn or key will travel a partial distance without affecting the bolt.
2. The tailpiece, which is held on by a threaded nut, has shattered.

Replace the parts by buying a new deadbolt.  These locks, though they look wonderful, are of extremely poor quality.

The newer Schlage deadbolts do not appear to me to be having any problems.  The tailpieces on these deadbolts are held onto the deadbolt be threaded nut.  In the event there is breakage, call you local locksmith or better hardware store.  Sometimes hardware stores have a parts box that may have the piece you are looking for.

My Deadbolt Key Turns But Nothing Happens

If your key just spins around in your deadbolt without activating the bolt, then the tailpiece of the deadbolt is probably broken. If your lock is a Kwikset deadbolt, the clip that holds the tailpiece may have been thrown due to lack of lubrication. There is also a chance that the clip has shattered, though more than likely the clip just slipped off. Here is what to do:

1. Remove the deadbolt. If it is a Kwikset, it can only go on one way.
2. Check the clips and tail piece. If the clip is still barely in place, then the clip just needs to be pushed back into place. Shoot it with WD-40. Reinstall.

If you have any other brand that does not use a clip, you will notice that the tailpiece has been sheared off at the cylinder. Deadbolts are east to install. Go to Lowe's and ask the attendant to give you a deadbolt and have him match it to your old key.

Often, Kwikset clips come off because of lack of lubrication. Sometimes it is caused by a poorly placed drilled hole in the latch area. If you suspect that the installation holes were improperly drilled, buy a new type of deadbolt that utilizes a different style tailpiece. Go to the locksmith store and request a US Lock or LSDA deadbolt. These can be keyed to Schlage or Kwikset/Callin. Whereas Kwikset requires a near perfect hole cut out in order to work smoothly, the LSDA and US Lock residential deadbolts are designed to operate even if the doors are not drilled dead on.

My Door Knob Unlocks Itself! Testing The Kwikset & Callin Lock For Integrity

If your house doors have Kwikset or Callin locks, do know that, over time, the return springs break. Of course, if you turn your knob it will spring back into place because the latch spring is activating; but it will be a weak return and anybody will be able to open your door even if you lock it. If you suspect that your house lock is unlocking itself, or becoming unlocked when it is locked, here is a simple test you can conduct.

1. Lock the knob or lever.
2. From the outside, try to open the lever or lock by turning it hard and quickly form left to right about ten or twenty times. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.
3. If the return spring is broken, the lock will unlock itself, allowing you to enter.

The danger in this is that your lock will be locked when you lock it, and you will think you are safe; but quick jiggles will unlock it from the outside. Any stranger who discovers this will have easy access to your home and you will never know it.

Just take your key down to the hardware store, ask the man in the lock department to provide you with another lock and ask him to key the lock up to your old key.While you are there, ask him to show you how to remove and install the new lock.

Callin Residential Lock Latch Locks Up - Remove and Replace

Callin makes a beautiful lock. However, the latches are prone to jamming in such a way as to render your door inoperable. No matter what you do, whether you unlock it with the key or turn the inside and outside knob or lever, the door simply will not open. Here is what you can do:

1. Have a flat head screw driver, a hammer, and a pair of vice grips ready.
2. First, try to pry the door away from the jamb. Be careful not to go to far with this or you will mar your door and jamb, necessitating cosmetic repair. If this works, then remove the lock entirely and replace the latch with a new Kwikset latch from the hardware store.
3. If the door is too tight, remove the interior screws of the lock and remove the inside knob/lever. The outside knob will be locked into place because the latch is jammed. If you can remove the locking spindle (that is the tube-looking spindle that has a hole in the end which the interior knob turn-button inserts into) then you can remove the knob. I cannot in words describe how to do this. But there is a catch either at the 12 or 6 o' clock position underneath the spindle that is spring loaded. Turn the spindle half way between left and right with the tip of a 32 regular Phillips driver, lift up on the catch and hold it there, and slip the spindle out. If you are lost at this point, destroy the lock spindle where it joins the lock body. Just pry it apart. Just get the outside knob off!
4. Now you have to deal with a jammed latch. This may take some time. With your flat head driver, carefully destroy the latch so all the parts and guts come out. You may need a hammer to get started. Just use your flat head driver to pry the latch apart. Once all the parts are gone, you should be able to use a small driver to pry the latch back. The door should open. 
5. This may take you from 15 minutes to one hour or more. Replace the lock with another Callin, but buy an optional Kwikset latch.