In some locks, in the event of a cylinder breakdown, you have to purchase the entire assembly, but most of the mechanisms make it easy to replace a damaged part. To change the larva in the castle, you do not need special skills, it will also be much cheaper than buying a new locking device.
Breakdown reasons
The functioning of the castle may be impaired in the following cases:
- The design contains a defective part. It is worth noting that the devices must be manufactured by reputable companies and sold in trusted stores, so you can minimize the likelihood of buying low-quality goods.
- Long-term operation of the device led to wear of the larva. There are no eternal mechanisms, so each of them has a certain period of use, after which the lock begins to work poorly and there is a need for repair or replacement of the entire element.
- They tried to open the door with the wrong key, because of this the master key, which was used when trying to open it, may get stuck inside the cylinder or break.
- The door lock larva was initially installed incorrectly. In this case, it is necessary to reinstall the device and carefully observe the technology of work.
- Damage to the door leaf or its deformation from exposure to high humidity. Sometimes you have to change not only the locking device, but the entire door. The core must be replaced only with a slight degree of deformation, which resulted in a mechanical impact on the structure, for example, impacts. In other cases, only more radical methods can help.
Varieties
For the lock, the larva consists of many elements, such as spring-loaded pins, plates and balls. There are several types that differ in the closing method, the most common are the following:
- The two-sided option - is characterized by a greater degree of security and is best suited to apartments or houses for the castle. The larva is blocked if a key is inserted into the structure from the inside of the room.
- Half cylinder. In this case, you can only close or open the lock from the outside of the door.
For the castle larva: how to choose
Care should be taken when choosing a new device and be guided by the main criteria, which include the manufacturer, type of construction, diameter, width and length of the cylinder. The last parameter should be suitable for the dimensions of the installed locking device and the door leaf itself. From the door surface to the end of the core should be no more than 2-3 mm. If this rule is not observed, the likelihood of opening the lock increases. In the case of a minimal threat of tampering, you can restrict yourself to a standard inexpensive item.
The cylinder must also be suitable for the type of lock. The patch design has a rotary handle on one side and a turnkey hole on the other. In the mortise version, the wells are located on both sides.
It is worth paying attention to the manufacturer who released the existing locking device. Products of many companies have certain sizes and are used with standard cores. The generally accepted standard has the following parameters: diameter - 17 mm, width and length - 10 mm and 34 mm, respectively. The groove of the larva in this case has a drop-shaped form.
In order not to have to return the goods that did not fit back to the store, it is necessary to measure the dimensions of the cylinder, having previously dismantled it from the structure. But it’s best to bring the core to the store so that the consultants can pick up a similar product.
How to remove the lock cylinder and install a new one
In order to pull the defective item out of the lock, it is not necessary to remove it. For work, a screwdriver will be required, in its absence, you can use a conventional screwdriver.
On the front of the structure there is a screw, which ensures its fixation on the door leaf. Most often, it is located next to the larva itself. First you need to open the lock so that the locking bolts do not interfere in the process. Then you need to turn the key so that it touches the core and pull it out. The lock door of the front door should move slightly. If everything remains as before, you still need to twist the key until the part begins to move freely.
When using a padlock, the element is removed from the side of the handle. In the mortise design, it can be pulled out in any convenient direction.
In some cases, the task is complicated by the presence of decorative overhead parts or additional handles. They must also be removed by loosening the locking fasteners for the lock. The larva can be removed with a screwdriver or other delicate tool available. The process can be simplified by applying a special lubricant, for example WD-40.
Mounting a new item
As noted above, a new core is selected in accordance with the dimensions of the door and the type of lock installed. The assembly of the locking device does not cause difficulties and consists in carrying out the manipulations carried out earlier, but in the reverse order. After the larva selected for the lock is installed, it is necessary to check the functioning of the structure and make sure that all parameters are consistent. The position of the cylinder is fixed with a bolt, and you should not overdo it when tightening it. As well as insufficient twisting, this will lead to improper functioning of the mechanism. At the end of the work, a handle and decorative pads are mounted.
What you need to know
Any person can perform the task, since it is possible to get the larva out of the castle without using special tools. The cylinder determines the correct operation of the entire device, so it must be selected in accordance with the dimensions of the failed element. It is also necessary to show maximum accuracy during installation, because damage to the internal structure of the lock will lead to the need to replace it.