Old Yale Rim cylinders

[kd7mlg]

http://imgur.com/a/BTbwt

So, I recently "modernized" the locks at a friend's house, (and in the process stupidly threw out an old mortise cylinder of the same vintage as these rim cylinders )...

But I can't for the life of me figure out how to get the retainer off so I can take them apart. I'm sure I'm probably overthinking it. Right?

It almost appears as though the retainer has to be destroyed to get the cylinders taken apart.

The house these came off of dates back to 1930 or 1940 and as near as we can tell the locks are probably original. The one working key I have works two of the three cylinders (Y1 key blank). I'd love to get these cylinders maintained and maybe reuse them elsewhere (the house has had all the cylinders replaced with Schlage Everest29).

Awaiting delivery of my picks (should be here Friday) and I am going to try and pick the one cylinder I can't unlock with a key.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Clues? (I love clues!)

[cledry]

In your 6th photo you can see the retainer nicely. Put a flat bladed screwdriver and push the retainer from right to left (in your pic) and the retainer will slide out. It can be re-used.

[ltdbjd]

The retainer is the "C" clip on the back.

Before you pull it off, make sure you have a follower handy. Pinning tweezers are nice to have too. If you take the clip off and pull the cylinder out without a follower, you'll "blow up" the lock and be searching for top pins and springs all over the place.

I ALMOST did that today with a Medeco. Kind of forgot that I didn't put the cam back on after rekeying it. After trying it with the key, I started to pull the key out normally. Fortunately I felt what was happening as soon as I started pulling. I'm not always so lucky though. You think hunting top springs are hard, you should try finding Medeco side bar springs some time! Don't do what I almost did.

[kd7mlg]

Yeah, I don't have a universal pin kit (yet) but I've got all the requisite tools for that.

Still not able to tackle the retainer, they're not standard C clips and the screwdriver trick didn't work. I'll try and get a better picture of what I'm talking about tomorrow.

The "C clip" is more like an "I clip" with serifs, one of which is wrapped around the far end.

[ltdbjd]

Sorry to add some confusion. I guess I just call all the retainers "C" clips. I was trying to clarify what cledry said in case you didn't know what the retainer was.

In any event, cledry is correct. Push it out from the side that doesn't wrap around. I've had them get glued in place with years of dirt, debris, etc. In which case a drop of lubricant and a few GENTLE taps with a hammer and punch (or the screwdriver, though I don't like using screwdrivers as punches unless I don't have another option) should get it moving.

[Squelchtone]

old Medeco cylinders used this kind of retainer clip. always a puzzle the first time you take one apart, but then it becomes obvious.

Squelchtone

[jimu57]

Drive it out from right to left looking at the back. ???

[Raymond]

I had better luck on these retainers using pliars. The retainer is piece of spring steel. One end is somewhat "T" shaped and blocks the channel on both sides. The other end is straight on one leg and has a hook on the other leg. The hook must be squeezed inward before it will clear the channel. Expect the tailpiece to slide out with the retainer. Many who use the screwdriver are applying pressure first to move the hook in and then to moving it through the channel. It is all right there in front of you so figure it out.

[kd7mlg]

I had better luck on these retainers using pliars. The retainer is piece of spring steel. One end is somewhat "T" shaped and blocks the channel on both sides. The other end is straight on one leg and has a hook on the other leg. The hook must be squeezed inward before it will clear the channel. Expect the tailpiece to slide out with the retainer. Many who use the screwdriver are applying pressure first to move the hook in and then to moving it through the channel. It is all right there in front of you so figure it out.

This.

I'll have to get a better pair of pliers and try, hopefully tomorrow.

Here's what I hope is a better picture of what it looks like on both sides.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Hopefully I'll get this apart tomorrow and be able to see what it looks like.

https://imgur.com/a/BQCAf

[jeffmoss26]

there is a good amount of swearing required to get these clips removed

[kd7mlg]

Thanks guys.

That design is deceptive. The channel is much wider than you'd think just looking under a shop light

Now to try and pick the one I don't have a key for.

[GWiens2001]

Ahh, the Yale mushroom pins. Took a bit for me to get the hang of them.

Gordon

[C locked]

Well done

I don't know what the name of those clips are but
They can be a little difficult and usually rusted in position
I think of them as a special t shaped flat split pins
As that description explains to me how it works

If anybody does know what they are called... Please post

[Raymond]

I nearly forgot to mention that nasty old locksmiths used to put this clip in backwards. The plug holding the lock clip has to be rotated 180 degrees to come out. The shell on the old locks comes up to block the groove so that the tailpiece will not pass. You had no choice but to pick or shim it open. This is obvious on one of your original pictures.

[C locked]

What a bastard move
But I suppose it increased security