Disassembling an old Ruko 5 pin lock, help please!

[BreezerFly]

Hey guys, I just recently started picking locks, and I got my hands on a few ruko 5 pin locks. These are really old and low-security, as far as I know, so they should be good for starters. However, since it'd be my first lock to pick, I wanted to open it up and see exactly what's in it, and then remove 3 or even 4 of the pins depending on how I do. However, I ran into a problem after 'forcibly' removing the covering cap (Which had no purpose other than cover the back of the plug. I'm 100% sure, because the other lock doesn't have this cap.)

I do have the key that opens the lock.

My problem is that I have no clue how to remove the plug... Can someone guide me through?
I tried pulling the metal U shape thing out, but to no avail.

Front

Side

Backside

An attempt to give you a view below the metal clip thing.

[Wizer]

Welcome to the forum!
Do you have a key for the lock?
You would have to use the key, turn it alittle, and pull out the plug. Beaware: the spring loaded top pins will shoot out one at the time, catch them! Or use a plug follower.
If you don´t have a key, you would need to pick the lock first to make a shear line on the pins so the plug can come out.
If you can´t pick it, you should try to shim the plug so you get that shear line open. (search)
It couldf be an average lock to practice on, but I´ve heard that Ruko (now made by Assa) should be pretty hard to pick.
Maybe you need an easier lock to start with.
Anyways, you are starting the hobby the right way. The desire to take apart and see the internals of the lock is a sign of right kind of approach to learn picking.
Pick a couple cheap padlocks first, and save this for later. You´ll pick it soon!!!

[BreezerFly]

Thanks! Padlocks are a better starting point? We probably have a few lying about, and I guess I'll go get a few cheap ones then. But I'm still set on disassembling this!
Glad to hear that I'm taking the right approach on this though. It does seem stupid to me to simply put in a hook and then wiggle it about...

How easy are padlocks to disassemble? I have to unlock it and then there's a screw in one of the holes, is that right?

[BreezerFly]

-- Can't find the edit button... --

So I tried turning the key in the lock... Did a 20 degree angle and pushed at the front and back of the plug, nearly no give. Same with 45 and 90 degree. (And a useless 180 degree for fun.)

It seems to get stuck on the bigger of the rings on the back. And I'm assuming that I need to push it from the back towards the front, so that they key doesn't have to go through the plug hole, yah?

If possible, I would like to run through the process on skype w/ cam so you can see the lock and what I'm doing? Otherwise, I might've misunderstood something.

[Wizer]

Oh, I re-read yor post and you DO have the key.
You need to take the C-shaped washer-thingy (I dont know the term) off. Just pry it with a screw drver. Then it should slide out.
You can´t usually disassemble the cheap padlocks, but they give you that "klick" when they open, and you´re hooked!

[BreezerFly]

Seems to be a no-go :/ I stuck a screwdriver below the 'silverlike' metal hook thing, sitting across the circles and tried to tilt it out. The screwdriver starts bending and there's no give in the hook thing. I feel like I've missed some lock mechanism, because it's pretty forceful that way (And I don't want to destroy the screwdriver or the back of the lock)

[BreezerFly]

OH! I got the hook out now! (that's what I call the thing anyways XD)
I had to turn the bigger of the circles so that the hole in it matched the side of the hook, then I could easily pull the hook out. But it took quite a bit to actually turn the circle.
Now I somehow need the bigger of the messing like circles removed so that the plug can slide out. But I can't seem to simply 'push' it off, in the opposite direction of the hole.

[Squelchtone]

OH! I got the hook out now! (that's what I call the thing anyways XD)
I had to turn the bigger of the circles so that the hole in it matched the side of the hook, then I could easily pull the hook out. But it took quite a bit to actually turn the circle.
Now I somehow need the bigger of the messing like circles removed so that the plug can slide out. But I can't seem to simply 'push' it off, in the opposite direction of the hole.

the hook? you mean the circular clip that is split at the bottom? or the tailpiece which is the silver rectangle in the back of the lock? Can you post a pic of the parts taken apart and maybe write next to them what you're calling them, I love Ruko locks, I have on like that but it doesnt have the other name stamped on the front like yours. and my key is round head and says ASSA on it, not an original Ruko. Are you from Denmark?

Thanks! (Tak!)
Squelchtone

PS. I just read that Carl F is a UK company which resells other lock brand cylinders as part of their door hardware solutions.

[Squelchtone]

Here is my Ruko double cylinder. It is one of my favorites in my entire collection, and I haven't been able to pick it yet.



Squelchtone

[BreezerFly]

Yes, I'm from Denmark Proud of it Everything is Ruko here I believe. Though this might be second-handed or whatever. I realize the key is probably not the original. Since it doesn't have Ruko on it.

Here's the lock without the tailpiece (better name than hook )


Here's the tailpiece (prev. hook)


I appreciate everyone's efforts to help me!

[atticRR]

Bfly, there is a circular clip you can see in the 2nd to the last picture. Its not actually circular, its like a 'c' thats almost closed, in the pic the open part is in the 9 o clock position. This is the part that needs to be removed i think to remove the plug. I use pliers like short needle nose, ill put the tool into the open part of the C clip then open them up a bit and push- in this case toward the 3 o clock position, it should spread apart as it slides over the plug and once its off the plug should slide right out the front as long as it has a key in it. As mentioned, beware od the driver pins and springs flying everywhere. Once you have it apart you can re pin it using just a couple of pin stacks (on spring+key pin+driver pin inside one pin chamber=one pin stack) this way you can start small and work your way up to a fully pinned lock. If there are are more than 2 pins per stack that means tour lock has been materkeyed and will make it more complicated to reassemble correctly.

removing that C clip should have you fully dis assembled right quick.

[BreezerFly]

Okay, I thought that was what was in the way.. So, how the hell do I get it off? It's very very tough to pull apart, and I can't do it with a nose plier.
I think maybe a screwdriver, but I can't really get it in between the clip and the plug. Besides, I'm afraid to bend it out of shape

[BreezerFly]

Wait a sec, misunderstood what a nose plier is XD I thought it was that tiny pinchet thing we find in our girlfriend's toilet bags

[Squelchtone]

you will need 2 screwdrivers. use 1 screwdriver to stop the C clip from rotating around, then use another screw driver to push up on the C clip so it starts to pop off the plug, then insert something like a flat screwdriver in the loop and pry off.

Look at this photo: http://nynex.s5.com/lp101/american_series50_breakdown/12_removing_c_clip.JPG

Squelchtone

[BreezerFly]

Yeah, got it off now... Slightly deformed tho, but I guess I can just squeeze it back around when I'm done ^^

My problem now is repinning the lock. I'm using a AA battery, fits perfectly in to the plug-hole.
My problem is that the back of the plug has cracks in it, and it's not 'smoothed' out, as you can see on the picture showing the back. So if I try to push it from the front and back, the pins will spring out and get stuck. I can't push it from the back to the front, because the face of the plug is slightly bigger than the plug-hole. Thanks a lot again!

Pictures incoming when I get home.