where is the c clip on padlock cylinders?

[justbegginin]

i have taken apart cylinders before but this time i cant find it? normally i can find it on the back of the cylinder.

[Safecrackin Sammy]

What type/model of padlock cylinder are you working on?

Some dont use c clips but use other methods to retain the plug in the cylinder.

[justbegginin]

an american 700 series clone, also what would be used instead?

[Safecrackin Sammy]

Could just be crimped like some of the master cylinders or it may have an internal pin [almost like an extra lock pin] that rides in a groove in the plug.

Can you pic the back of the plug?

[stacks]

Hey justbegginin, here is a pic post of someone who took apart an American Lock.

LINK: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14004

Hope this helps.

stacks

[chev49]

Now, that's a BIG lock!

[n2oah]

Some American locks are not serviceable. The ones with cylinders that look like figure-8s are usually not serviceable, and you'll need to grind off the retaining pins in the plug to get it out.

[Raymond]

Negative on grinding off the pins.

The vertical pin can be pushed down into the plug. (It can be pushed back out when finished through the back of the keyway.) The plug can be rotated so that the bottom pins can be accessed through the holes drilled in the bottom of the shell for simple rekeying.

The side pin can be removed if you must service top pins and springs. It is easier after the plug is turned 45 degrees. Use very small and sharp diagonal cutters to very gently grip it at the base and pry it out. It is splined and can be tapped back in.

You can also use just the edge of a sharp knife or chisel to hook and lift the pin but this is not as easy. Make sure the lock cylinder is VERY securely mounted in a vise to avoid slips and cuts.

[n2oah]

Negative on grinding off the pins.

The vertical pin can be pushed down into the plug. (It can be pushed back out when finished through the back of the keyway.) The plug can be rotated so that the bottom pins can be accessed through the holes drilled in the bottom of the shell for simple rekeying.

The side pin can be removed if you must service top pins and springs. It is easier after the plug is turned 45 degrees. Use very small and sharp diagonal cutters to very gently grip it at the base and pry it out. It is splined and can be tapped back in.

You can also use just the edge of a sharp knife or chisel to hook and lift the pin but this is not as easy. Make sure the lock cylinder is VERY securely mounted in a vise to avoid slips and cuts.

I've tried this on many American cores, and the pins just end up mushrooming over, which creates an even worse problem. Using a sharp knife to extract the side pin will create another large problem, one that will have to be solved with a trip to the local emergency medicine clinic.

[Raymond]

I am really surprised at your difficulty getting these pins to move. I have occasionally had trouble with the side pin but never the top one. The top pin hole is drilled through into the keyway and will push up and down pretty easily. I do not understand your reference to mushrooming the pin.