Pin cover lifting on Schlage bible. Is it normal?

[cheerIO]

I have 3 Schlage entry levers that I am re-keying.

I picked them open and saw this:



It looks to me like the pin covers are lifting up. They are being held by 4 little tabs that fit into the grooves on the bible at catch at the top.



If I push the pin cover down all the way it looks like it fits. But I can't figure out how it would grip and stay in place that way. Is it normal for these to be lifted up like that?

[jeffmoss26]

I believe that is normal for the F series compressible cylinders.

[cheerIO]

I believe that is normal for the F series compressible cylinders.

Thanks, I looked up the F series compressible and you're right. It's supposed to be like that.

Now what I can't figure out is how to re-pin these. The Schlage Manual for the F series says you can use a follower instead of going through the top and replacing the cap. But the oblong tail piece is part of the casting for the plug. The highpoints of of the oval are up and down aligned with the key, and the key only turns 90 degrees. The pictures in this manual are all wrong:

http://cholla.mmto.org/locks/P513-325_Rekeying_Manual.pdf

If you tried to push the plug with the follower when it was turned 90 degrees, the pins would fall off the end of the weird tailpiece before the follower got there.

From what I can see, the only way you can use a follower to remove the plug is if you have the correct key to hold the pins at the shearline.

Anyone have any experience with these?

[Raymond]

Use a regular follower from the back. Rotate the plug only about 5 degrees, just enough not to let the pins lock up. The full width of the plug tail will still be able to keep the pins up while pushing in the follower. This is a skill that must be learned. Most locksmiths do this job without even thinking about it.

If you have to cheat, put in a shim and the follower will fit under the shim.

Do not remove the spring caps. Those caps are very difficult to re-stake so they will dependably stay on.

[cheerIO]

Use a regular follower from the back. Rotate the plug only about 5 degrees, just enough not to let the pins lock up. The full width of the plug tail will still be able to keep the pins up while pushing in the follower. This is a skill that must be learned. Most locksmiths do this job without even thinking about it.

If you have to cheat, put in a shim and the follower will fit under the shim.

Do not remove the spring caps. Those caps are very difficult to re-stake so they will dependably stay on.

Thanks Raymond, I tried it like you said. Screwed up the first couple times. But I think I have the technique down a little bit. You can clear the first couple easy but then it gets harder. You can feel the pin drop then slowly rock the plug toward 12 o'clock as you ease it out. Once it sets on the follower you do the same thing again for the next one. You sort of ride a wave between the pins keeping them offset. You are right. It is a learned skill.

Thanks for the advice.

[cledry]

Using a shim isn't cheating it is insurance.

[jeffmoss26]

When I have to rekey a rim cylinder with a weird notch in the plug, I will use a shim with my follower.

[cheerIO]

If you have to cheat, put in a shim and the follower will fit under the shim.

Using a shim isn't cheating it is insurance.

When I have to rekey a rim cylinder with a weird notch in the plug, I will use a shim with my follower.

Just wanted to thank you guys for the advice. I had never thought of using a shim AND a follower together for some reason. I had to do six of these locks and although knowing you can do it with no additional tools is nice. I will definitely use a shim when ever I have a weird plug now just to make sure it is done right.