How to Re - Key a Kwikset Pin & Tumbler Deadbolt Instruction Set This instruction set is intended for an employee of a hardware store if he or she should ever encounter a customer that has interests in rekeying their lock for privacy purposes and/or want to make one key accessible for all exterior doors. This task will take approximately 15-20 minutes depending on your skill level and the amount of locks you need to rekey. As you get accustomed to rekeying, you should be able to rekey one lock in 5-10 minutes! Note: This instruction set is only intended for the deadbolt. The customer must have the exterior portion of the deadbolt (the side where you insert the key) and the existing key in order to accomplish this task. Be sure Kwikset is engraved on the front side of the deadbolt. If it is any other brand of deadbolt, use the brand s specific instruction set. Materials: - Kwikset Rekeying Kit (Provided by the hardware store.) Kit includes: Pins They are replaced inside the deadbolt in order for the new key to function. Key Gauge A tool used to measure the pin sizes to the new key. Plug Follower A tool that acts as a placeholder to ensure necessary pins and springs do not fall out of place. Cylinder Removal Tool Allows you to dismantle the dead bolt to access the plug that contains the pins you need to exchange. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 1 illustrates what the kit may look like. There are different styles the kit may come in, but this features the components of every kit. Figure 2 illustrates what comes inside the kit and their location within the kit. You can see the cylinder removal tool, key gauge, and plug follower. Figure 2 will be referenced in the instruction set when you have measured the pin sizes.
Materials Continued Note: Illustrations of pins, key gauge, plug follower, and cylinder removal tool are shown in Figure 2. - Tweezers (If you desire Note: NOT provided in the kit) - Kwikset Deadbolt (The brand name of the deadbolt will be visible in the finish.) - Existing key - New key (There should be new keys available provided by the hardware store.) Some notes before we get started: - Be sure the customer has the exterior portion of the deadbolt and the existing key. - Be familiar with the location of the pins and tools in Figure 2. - Do this task on a clean, flat surface. You will be working various pieces of different sizes. (The pins are especially small!) - Make sure you can dedicate time do rekeying. It will be hard if you are side tracked by different customers. This is not a task that you are able to pick and set down. Everything is hands on from start to finish.
Step 1 Take the deadbolt, and turn it face down, removing the reinforcing collar. The reinforcing collar is not attached to the cylinder assembly; therefore they will just come apart without the use of tools. Step 2 The tailpiece (attached to the cylinder assembly) needs to be removed. To do so, you need to remove the plug retainer which looks like a horseshoe. The cylinder removing tool will be used to push the plug out of position. Use the curved out end of the tool and press it against the ends of the plug retainer until it emerges from the other side. Feedback: When the plug has emerged, you will be able to remove it by your fingers or a pair of tweezers. The tail piece will now be able to be detached. Step 3 Now that you only have the cylinder assembly, insert the current key into the deadbolt. Leave the key in until noticed to remove. Important: Turn the key to the right or the left till it can turn no further. Note: If the key is not turned, pins and springs inside the plug will fall out of place, leaving the deadbolt to no longer work or be rekeyed.
Step 4 Now you need to remove the plug in order to replace the pins. Use the closed end of the plug follower and place it on the plug (not facing the key). Push the plug slowly out, ensuring the key is still turn completely to the left or the right. Continue to push until the plug is out. DO NOT REMOVE THE PLUG FOLLOWER. The plug should be showing on either side of the cylinder assembly. Feedback: It is okay if pins fell out of the plug. Note: You may discard the pins currently in the plug and remove the key. Step 5 First Cut Shoulder Now that you have an empty plug, it is time to replace the pins with the new key. Before inserting the new pins, you must match the pin sizes with the cut of the key. Now you will use the key gauge. Insert the key starting at zero. Be sure not to count your first cut as the shoulder. Refer to the illustration to the right if there is confusion. Once you have placed the key inside the key gauge, move the key to the left, still aligning the first cut with the number notches. When the key can go no further, read off the right-most number to the key, that is your first pin size. For example, the first cut being measured in the illustration is size 3. In Figure 2, the find the pin size #3 and find the location in the kit. Note: There are five pins to match the key. Continue to follow this step for all five cuts in the key. As you go through, write down the number that matches the cut. This will help you be efficient when it comes to inserting the correct pins into the plug.
Step 6 Now that you have the sizes of the pins, insert the key into the empty plug. Insert the pins in the correct order of which you have written down. Leave new key in for the remainder of reassembly. Feedback: You want your pins to be flush with the top of the plug. If a pin is too large, during reassembly, the plug will not go into the cylinder assembly. Warning: IF THE PIN IS TOO SHORT AFTER REASSEMBLY, KEY WILL LOCK INTO PLACE, RESULTING IN UNUSABLE LOCK AND KEY. Note: If the pin is too large, take out and choose a size that is smaller (one numerical size smaller). If the pin is too small, take out and choose a size that is larger (one numerical size larger). Continue to do this until you find the correct size. Step 7 Once plug is correctly filled, it is time to reinsert it into the cylinder assembly. Holding the cylinder assembly with the spring cover facing up, put the plug against the plug follower facing the front of the deadbolt. You want to turn the plug to the left of right of the spring cover during insertion. Slowly insert the plug, allowing the plug follower to fall out of place. Leave key in until noticed to remove. Warning: If you insert the plug with the pins and spring cover in line with each other, important springs and pins will fall out of place, leaving the deadbolt unusable. Feedback: If you find yourself forcing the plug into place, recheck the pins. Note: Once the plug is inserted, turn the key left and right, making sure it can smoothly move inside the cylinder. If you find difficulty, consult step 4 and take the plug out. Recheck to make sure the pins are the correct size.
Step 8 Ensuring the plug does not fall out of place; grasp the cylinder assembly comfortably with the back facing up. Place the tail piece between the central circular frame. Be sure the opening of the circular frame is in line with the opening of the bottom of the tailpiece. Now reinsert the plug retainer. Align the notch in the plug retainer through the opening of the frame and tailpiece. You may push the retainer in with your thumb, or by using the cylinder removing tool. This will hold the tail piece in place. Step 9 At this point you may remove the key. Reapply the reinforcing collar. Note: Illustrations and further instructions are provided at the following website. http://www.kwikset.com/libraries/literature/rekeying_manual.sflb.ashx