Missing Spring/Pin Question..

[UnlockD]

Alright, so my buddy calls me up, says his parents front door deadbolt doesn't work and they're going on vacation and need it fixed ASAP. Well I fixed the door, turns out the problem was in the cylinder.
Somehow, there was only 1/4 of the spring left and no pin, just a tumbler in the last hole making the key useless.
Anyways, my question is, what happened to the spring & pin, was it maybe evidence (No, I'm not a paranoid ) of an attempted picking gone terribly wrong?

[cedrice]

sounds like the nut on the back came off and someone pulled the plug out one space dropping the last top pin, then turned the cylinder and cut one of the springs.

To fix, put the key in, turn 45-90 degrees, push plug out with follower. Replace the broken spring, put the top pin back where it belongs and slide the plug back in. Problem solved.

[UnlockD]

I solved the problem already - I replaced the missing pin and spring. I was just wondering how a pin and a spring would make an escape like that and why.
And as for pulling the cylinder out, that's a negative, it can't be pulled from the front.

[Raymond]

Dont start thinking aliens from another galaxy grabbed them. It is not a result of picking attempts.

Either the factory goofed or the last person to rekey it goofed and left the spring and top pin out. It happens.

[UnlockD]

So it's not aliens? After I fixed the lock I covered the ceiling with tinfoil to interrupt the pin-grabbing beam.. I should probably take that down before they get back from vacation.

[unlisted]

Uh.. you do know tinfoil just amplifies the beams, right? That another lie the CIA started, so they could listen to your thoughts (with the aliens) even easier..

Its gotta be true- read the following link:

http://people.csail.mit.edu/rahimi/helmet/

[cedrice]

And as for pulling the cylinder out, that's a negative, it can't be pulled from the front.

how would you rekey it then? I have had a few call outs where the plug came out. The nut on the back works itself loose.

[UnlockD]

I removed the Cylinder from the back and used a knife to slide off the brass piece holding the pins down on the bible.

As for previous rekeyings, I'm told no work has been done to the door before.

[cedrice]

wouldnt be the first time that a lock has come from factory messed up.