Trouble with the American A600

[mseifert]

Ok I took my American Lock 600 Series (Date Stamped QHF) apart to clean and re-lube it... FYI the current American Lock service manual doesn't cover the 600 series... The only way I can get it back together make the lock operate backward.. Key parallel to the lock body unlocks it AND perpendicular locks it .. Which means I can get the key out ..

Can any one help .. What am I missing .. It looks like the actuator needs to be in a different position but the spring is stopping it from stay anywhere else..

[mseifert]

Bump - Anyone have an advice..

[GWiens2001]

Try installing the core (before you put in the retaining cap) in with the key turned about 90 degrees in the direction you want the key to turn while installing it. As the core drops into place, turn the key back to the 'zero' position (locked). Then remove the key, holding the core in place with your thumb while removing the key. Then install the cover, and you should be good to go. (Sorry for the delay in response - had to dig one out in order to disassemble it and figure out what might be going on.)

Gordon

[mseifert]

This is an old version of the lock (Date Stamped - QHF - Oct 1979) .. There is no retainer cap ... The lock has a pin down in the shackle hole that you have to depress to remove the core..



I am beginning to think I am going to need a Peterson Bypass tool to turn the Actuator once I get the core partially inserted..

[GWiens2001]

No, put the key into the core and turn the plug as described as you are installing the core (with the plug turned).

Gordon

[Divinorum]

Try this thread. I had a similar problem. At least it sounds similar.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=59073&p=433580#p433580

[mseifert]

Try this thread. I had a similar problem. At least it sounds similar.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=59073&p=433580#p433580

Thank for the help ... But I am not sure this applies .. I didn't take the cylinder apart ..

[billdeserthills]

It sounds to me like you just have the timing of your lock off. Why not try Gordon's idea? That should restore the timing back to where it is supposed to be at.

Try installing the core (before you put in the retaining cap) in with the key turned about 90 degrees in the direction you want the key to turn while installing it. As the core drops into place, turn the key back to the 'zero' position (locked). Then remove the key, holding the core in place with your thumb while removing the key. Then install the cover, and you should be good to go. (Sorry for the delay in response - had to dig one out in order to disassemble it and figure out what might be going on.)

Gordon

[mseifert]

I think that maybe there is a misunderstanding of how this lock works.. Or maybe I am interrupting what your trying to explain to me so ..

Here are some pictures

This is the actuator in the lock when the shackle is open ..



and when it is locked..



the actuator is spring loaded and will not move to another position and stay there long enough to get the cylinder back in .. I did not take the cylinder apart so I know the cylinder is not in some wierd configration.. I have removed and disassembled the actuator but it will only go back together one way and will only go back into the lock body one way ..

This kind of a bad picture but you can see the pins... The cylinder will only turn 90degrees. Which is in the open area of the actuator .. When the cylinder is in the locked position the cam is filling the 12-6 o'clock area.. and when it is in the unlocked position it is filling the 3-9 o'clock position ..



the procedure for the Series 700 lock doesn't work for putting the lock back together ..

I do know one thing .. If I ever get this thing back together correctly .. I am putting a huge tag on it that say "DO NOT DISASSEMBLE"

[GWiens2001]

Now that you have explained, with pictures, we can see that the advise we have been giving is correct. The timing of the cam is off.

Whenever you remove the lock core, the cam can slip to the position it is in. The correction is to have the key turned as described. The link provided above by another member shows what you are describing and showing in pictures.

To turn the key as we are describing, put the key into the core. Now look at the pin on the other end of the core that is preventing the plug from turning as we are suggesting. (The pin that hits the cutout on the rear side of the shell). That pin is spring loaded. Press it in with a pick, and the key will then turn further in that direction. Turn the plug to 90 degrees past that block.

Now put the core into the lock body. Once it is seated, turn the key back to the locked position.

Everything should now work.

Sorry if we have been unclear, and we do appreciate the opportunity to help. The pictures of the core do help us to 'be on the same page'.

Good luck, and keep us informed.

Gordon

P.S. If you want to trade the lock, send me a PM!

[Raymond]

Insert the ball bearings with grease to hold them in place. At this point I like to use a vise to hold everything with the shackle held down into the lock. Insert the actuator plug fully. Release the vise and the shackle should stay in. Use a flat screwdriver to rotate the actuator plug clockwise until the shackle pops out into the unlocked position. The lock cylinder should be able to insert fully at this time. Test by turning the key as far to the right as possible. At the very last of the turn you should feel the springiness when it contacts the actuator and turns it just a little. This proves it is contacting the actuator and that the spring is loaded before locking the shackle in. Good luck.

[mseifert]

Insert the ball bearings with grease to hold them in place. At this point I like to use a vise to hold everything with the shackle held down into the lock. Insert the actuator plug fully. Release the vise and the shackle should stay in. Use a flat screwdriver to rotate the actuator plug clockwise until the shackle pops out into the unlocked position. The lock cylinder should be able to insert fully at this time. Test by turning the key as far to the right as possible. At the very last of the turn you should feel the springiness when it contacts the actuator and turns it just a little. This proves it is contacting the actuator and that the spring is loaded before locking the shackle in. Good luck.

Raymond .. you are official my new best friend ... FYI .. Saw you were from West Texas .... I will be in Midland area tomorrow.. By following your instruction and using a wood dowel cut as a follower I was able to get the cylinder to turn and get the lock back into a working state..

[GWiens2001]

Glad to hear you got it working! Knew you'd get it.

Gordon