How to Rekey Locks without Calling a Locksmith

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A step-by-step guide to protect your home and car
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You'll usually want to rekey the locks to your house or car because of a break-in, theft or act of vandalism. You may also wish to rekey your locks if you lose your keys, if you feel that too many others have copies of your keys or if you want the convenience of being able to lock and unlock your house's front and back doors with the same key. In this article, we'll show you step-by-step how to rekey your home and car doors for safety and convenience without having to call and pay for a locksmith visit. If you're ready to take your home security into your own hands, keep scrolling!

Things You Should Know

  • You may want to replace your locks whenever you have a break-in, you get a new house or car, or if you want to upgrade your security.
  • Get a full rekeying kit to make this process as streamlined as possible and avoid the need to have keys crafted separately.
  • Remove the old lock and then follow the kit’s instructions to assemble the lock you’re replacing.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

House Door Locks

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  1. Also called pinning kits, rekeying kits are available at most hardware stores and home centers, as well as online.
    • Kits are available for most lock brands and come equipped to do multiple locks, but frequently work for only locks of the same brand. [1]
    • Some kits include only lock pins, while others include special tools (cylinder follower, ring remover, plug follower) to remove the lock cylinder so you can replace the lock pins.
    • You can order extra pins if you have more locks to re-key than the kit has pins for. If you have any old locks that are too corroded to keep, take the pins out and keep them before you throw the lock away.
  2. Door knobs are held in place with a clip accessed by inserting a wire into a tiny hole. Your rekeying kit may include a wire tool for this purpose, or you can unbend a paper clip and insert it.
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  3. Using a cylinder follower (a small brass tube), push the cylinder through the assembly to remove the sleeve covering it and then remove the cylinder. [2]
  4. Use a wrench-like ring remover to remove the retaining ring from the lock cylinder. Put the retainer ring somewhere you'll find it later when reassembling the lock.
  5. Insert the key for the current lock into the cylinder and turn it to separate the upper and lower lock pins. Push the plug follower through the cylinder, using constant pressure to remove the plug.
    • Keeping constant pressure will keep the upper lock pins and their retaining springs in place when you remove the cylinder plug. If you should let the springs fall out, you can still pick them up and reinsert them but you will need tweezers to put the springs and pins back in.
  6. [3] The lower lock pins are roughly bullet-shaped, with the pointed ends touching the key, and of varying lengths.
  7. This will push the springs out of the way and serve as a partial guide for the new lock pins.
  8. The new pins should be color-coded or coded numerically to match a chart showing which pin goes where in the lock. You'll need either a tweezers or small needle-nosed pliers to grip the pins and insert them. The new pins should align with the key when it is inserted in the lock.
    • If the pins are not coded, you'll have to use trial and error, inserting and withdrawing the key to make sure it fits the lock with the new pins installed.
  9. Replace the cylinder plug and retaining ring, then replace the cylinder in the doorknob or lock face and reattach it to the door. Test the re-keyed lock to make sure it locks and unlocks with the new key.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Car Door Locks

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  1. The exact method depends on the vehicle and whether the lock is a door, trunk, or ignition lock. You may need special equipment to remove the lock.
  2. Take off the end cam and inner spring, then insert a key into the lock tumbler to push the pins away from the cylinder walls. You should then be able to push the tumbler out from the back.
    • The key does not have to be the one that is normally used with the lock.
  3. Replacement tumbler pins come in sets. Each pin has a different length and may be labeled with a number. Insert the new pins in place of the old pins, making sure the new pins extend no further than the top of the tumbler.
    • If you're rekeying more than one car lock, be sure to arrange the new pins in the same order in each lock so you can use the same key with all of them.
  4. Although replacements, the new pins may be too worn to work. The lock should turn smoothly with the key that will be used to lock and unlock it.
  5. You may want to test the key one more time to make sure it works.
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  • Question
    Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Generally, getting your locks rekeyed is cheaper than replacing them altogether. Replacing your locks is a good option if the old locks are falling apart or you want more secure, newer locks.
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  • Question
    How long does it take to rekey a lock?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    It depends on your experience level and the kind of lock you’re dealing with. An experienced locksmith can rekey a lock in 2-3 minutes, but it might take 10-15 minutes for someone who’s new to the process. Getting the lock out of the door can take longer.
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    How much does a locksmith charge to rekey a lock?
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    On average, it costs around $20-$50. Complicated locks with electronic components tend to be costlier than simple, old-fashioned locks.
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      Tips

      • Re-keying the locks to have a master key is not good for security because different keys will open the same door. [4] Instead re-key all the locks for one unit to have the same key and keep 1 different key for each unit.
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      • To prevent losing springs and upper pins if they fall out accidentally, work over a high-contrast surface or over a bowl or dish that will catch the lock components if they fall out.
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      • You may want to lightly lubricate the lock when you replace the pins because it will reduce friction, reduce oxidation and cause the lock to last longer.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Re-keying or pinning kit/set of lock pins
      • Cylinder follower (may be included in kit)
      • Ring remover (may be included in kit)
      • Plug follower (may be included in kit)
      • Screwdriver
      • Tweezers or needle-nosed pliers

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/home-security/how-to-rekey-a-door-lock/
      2. ↑ https://www.schlage.com/content/dam/sch-us/documents/pdf/installation-manuals/P513-325.pdf
      3. ↑ https://blog.hellosuper.com/rekey-your-lock-and-stay-safe-in-your-new-home/
      4. ↑ https://www.affordablelocksmiths.com/some-facts-you-need-to-know-about-your-master-key/
      5. https://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/60955/home_security/rekeying_a_pin_tumbler_lock.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To rekey a house lock, remove the exterior doorknob by inserting a wire into a small hole in the doorknob. Then, take the lock cylinder out of the knob using a cylinder follower, and remove the cylinder retainer ring so you can take out the cylinder plug. Now, you can dump the old lock pins out of the cylinder, insert the new key into the cylinder, and insert the new pins into their slots. Finally, reassemble and replace the lock. Scroll down to learn how to rekey a car lock!

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