Why Does The Key Keep Turning In Your Door Lock?
Why Does The Key Keep Turning In Your Door Lock?
Only a few experiences can be compared to having your key turn without locking or unlocking your door. This is not a situation that a simple key replacement service can get you out of. Having a key continually turn in a door lock without locking or unlocking the door can happen in automobile door lock cylinders, residential door locks, and commercial door locks.
Finding a solution to this problem is quite easy. However, you will need the skillset and experience of a licensed locksmith for adequate lock repair service. Attempting to fix the lock and key on your own may cause further damage to your door lock. Finding the right solution becomes relatively easy to implement when you have identified the reason your key keeps turning in your door lock.
Why a Key Keeps Turning in Door Lock
Here are some of the reasons why your key keeps turning in your door lock:
- Broken Lock Tailpiece or Cam
One of the factors that may cause a key to keep turning in a door lock is a broken lock tailpiece or cam. Lock cams are counterparts of tailpieces and are typically located in Euro Cylinder Locks and Mortise Locks. However, although different, both tailpieces and cams accomplish similar basic functions.
The functionality of any lock rests significantly on a sequence of actions and mechanisms.
When the tailpiece or cam of a lock is broken, it disconnects other parts of the lock from its latch/bolt. The effect can cause a key to keep turning in the door lock.
- Poor Door Lock Installation
If your door lock is improperly installed, it can cause your keep to keep turning in the lock without engaging the lock’s latch or bolt. This is one of the downsides of failing to contact a professional locksmith for your door lock installations and lock repairs.
When installing a door lock, every piece of the lock, including the tailpiece needs to be installed correctly. Since the tailpiece places a crucial role in aiding the rotation of any lock mechanism, any form of disconnection may prevent the key from engaging the locking mechanism. Hence, causing your key to keeping turning in the lock without being able to engage the lock’s bolt or latch.
A lock cam is a piece of hardened plastic or metal that is often attached to the rear end of a lock cylinder. A lock cam is designed to move a lock latch or bolt to engage or disengage. Having the wrong cam in a lock mechanism will prevent the key from engaging and disengaging the lock bolt or latch. Hence, resulting in the key turning without locking or unlocking the door lock.
Cams and Tailpieces are unique and integral parts of a lock, hence, the reason they are often not made alike. If you use the wrong cam when assembling your lock cylinder, the cam will engage or disengage the locking mechanism. This can cause your key to keep turning in the door lock.
Wrapping Up
You should know that identifying the reason your key keeps turning in a door lock is only the first step to resolving the issue. The next action you should take is to contact a locksmith service provider like QuickPro Locksmith for professional lock repair services.
