Re-keying a kwickset Doorknob

[Isakill]

Sorry about the delay and the pic quality. did the best I could.

First off you need a few items to get started.


1) A Phillips/crosshead screwdriver
2) A plug follower
3) extra kwickset bottom pins
4) A Cylinder removal tool


Start off you need to remove the knob from the door (or if you're using it to practice picking with, skip this step)

Using the screwdriver remove the 2 screws from the plate and the knob should slide from the bolt assembly and from the door.

Using the cylinder removal tool press on the shaft retainer clip located just under the plate on the base of the shaft.



It should basically fall out, if not, the shaft may need to be twisted about half-way back and forth to fall out.



Next comes the hardest part. you take the removal tool and turn it around to where the forked end goes into the hole where the shaft just came from.
You have to wiggle the tool back and forth while pressing into the knob to get the clips on the cylinder to release from the inside of the knob.



Once the cylinder has popped out you should be able to get to the guts of the matter. In this next picture you get a good view of the back of the cylinder. Note how much the whole assembly resembles a kwickset deadbolt cylinder.
The large black "tangs" are the clips that hold the cylinder to the knob.



After removing the E-clip the plug can be removed. But wait, does it have a key, or, do you have to pick it to get the plug out?

Depending on your situation is how you deal with this problem. I already re-keyed this knob for my parents cause they lost the keys.



IMPORTANT!!!!

When you get the plug free from the pins, use the follower!!

Mainly because after the plug clears the upper pins the springs shoot them out like a rocket!!
They are hard to find after that happens.



This is the final product with the new keys in place. if you have a large assortment of bottom pins, just insert the key and place the pins in until they line up with the top of the plug.

Reassembly is the opposite of disassembly. The clips just click in place when the cylinder is pushed back into the knob.

Enjoy

[lockedin]

Mad props for this tutorial This is such a commonly asked question. Even I need to refresh my memory when I haven't re-keyed one in a while.

[Isakill]

I should have posted a "thank you" sooner


Thanks Lockedin that is the main reason I added it.
That and I asked Varjeal if I could

[dethseeker90]

wow thats a great tut but when i was rekeying my room door knob i didnt have the proper tools but i got it rekeyed using a pair of scissors (found in most elementary schools) a screw driver and tweezers it was easy

[mojomojo]

EXTRA NOTES IF YOU DONT MIND....

If it is one of the more robust door knob which will be titan of maxium you follow all the steps but when it comes down to removing the actual plugs all you do is turn the key 180 degrees and the plug will release itself from the housing.....

[pinsetter]

Much thanks for this tutorial! It answered a question I asked recently but had not been answered until now.

Does the cylinder removal tool come in Kwikset repinning kits?

[lockedin]

Yes, any good Kwikset rekeying kit will include it. Unless they cheapened out, in which case you can do it with a flat head screw driver or other similar long piece of metal, albeit with more difficulty.