External lock maintenance

[Solwaybuggier]

A couple of the external locks on our Carthago (C Tourer T150) are sticking when I lock them - I can generally get them locked in the end, by turning fully anticlockwise before locking, but there is some resistance. On one of the locks, the key is sometimes sticking in the lock when I try to remove it.

Anyone got any ideas whether this is a maintenance/lubrication issue, or whether there is likely to be some mechanical cause in the locks? I've tried silicone spray, which seems to have helped a bit.

 

[SteveJ]

I believe that most locksmiths recommend graphite dust rather than a silicone or graphite spray as it is dry. Most silicone or graphite sprays stay wet and therefore end up getting gunged up with dust etc over a relatively short time. A friend who used to be a locksmith used to get called out to "Broken" locks all the time, usually it was a case of removing the lock, cleaning it in a tub of paraffin, drying it out and then lubricating it with graphite dust. Loads of it around, just search for graphite dust lock lubricant. But the lock does need to be clean and dry before you start using it.

 

[TheBig1]

Only use graphite dust on the tumblers of the lock itself. But use silicone spray lubricant on the handle and latch mechanism

 

[TheBig1]

Basically anything plastic dries and siezes up so needs a low friction lubricant.

If a locker lock and latch has become stiff to operate or stuck it is best to disassemble it first, removing the lock barrel. Then wash the plastic parts with warm soapy water. Reassemble and grease the mechanism with silicone and the lock barrel with graphite dust. It is not difficult and only takes a few minutes