Best Padlock Jammed Open

[xylac]

I picked up a Best IC padlock for cheap about a year ago, and although the lock works fine, the rest of the padlock is broken. The shackle is jammed open and doesn't swing any more. It jiggles, but it won't move significantly in any direction and I can't see anything that might be blocking the motion. I'd like to be able to fix this so the padlock works again. Has anyone ever run into this problem before? I can post pictures if it would help.

[GWiens2001]

Can you get the core out? If so, maybe you can take it apart and clean it.

Gordon

[xylac]

Yep, I got the core out. I was thinking I could use a screwdriver or something to activate whatever the tailpiece of the plug is turning, but I couldn't get that to budge either. How would I go about further taking it apart or cleaning it?

[GWiens2001]

Somebody had a thread on taking apart a BEST padlock.

Gordon

[jeffmoss26]

I believe averagejoe posted some breakdown pictures.

[averagejoe]

My thread only applies to the older models.

If it is the newer ball bearing locking system then the process is different. Some pictures may help us diagnose your problem and help with a solution.

[xylac]

Here you go:



I wasn't able to get a good picture of the top, but it looks like it's a ball bearing style, and that the ball bearing is completely retracted.

[averagejoe]

Yup, that is a ball bearing lock. To get them apart you really need a special too to make it easy.

It looks like the shackle of yours is pushed in. On the side that is in the lock the cutout is quite low towards the lock. Is there any chance you could try pulling it really hard or even hold the shackle and hit down on the lock body with a mallet?

[Raymond]

These new Best padlocks look a lot like an American padlock. Try holding down on the shackle and try to pull or bounce out the center activating part of the lock. Some needle nose pliars may also be able to get ahold of the tab above the spring and thereby pull it out.

The more you pull out on the shackle or hit the lock body with a hammer, the more you will jam it.

[xylac]

Success! I wasn't able to get any gentler method to work, so I ended up clamping the body of the padlock upside down in a vise, putting a piece of metal in the loop of the shackle, and hitting that with a hammer. It took a couple swings, but I got it to unstick.

It did jam a few more times while testing, so while getting it unstuck I accidentally hit so hard the shackle popped out entirely. The ball bearing on that side also fell out, but I put everything back and it seems like it's stopped jamming. Thanks for the help!

Finally, are there any good references for how to clean a padlock like this? It works, but I wouldn't mind if it were a little bit smoother.

[averagejoe]

Success! I wasn't able to get any gentler method to work, so I ended up clamping the body of the padlock upside down in a vise, putting a piece of metal in the loop of the shackle, and hitting that with a hammer. It took a couple swings, but I got it to unstick.

It did jam a few more times while testing, so while getting it unstuck I accidentally hit so hard the shackle popped out entirely. The ball bearing on that side also fell out, but I put everything back and it seems like it's stopped jamming. Thanks for the help!

Finally, are there any good references for how to clean a padlock like this? It works, but I wouldn't mind if it were a little bit smoother.

Wow, you really must have been swinging to get the shackle to pop out.

You likely damaged the part of the lock that controls the ball bearings when that happened. Possibly the shackle as well.

There isnt a whole lot you can do to clean it without taking it apart which requires a special tool.

Here is the padlock service manual if you are interested. http://www.bestaccess.com/service-documents/B%20Series%20Service%20Manual.pdf

[xylac]

Yeah, I took it apart and had to pound it back together a couple of times, so I probably did damage something. 0.0
At least it works now, which it didn't before. Thanks for the manual, and thanks to everyone for all the help!