Locked Out Of My 76 Argosy

[The Zeeb]

I’m locked out of my 76 Argosy. Pulled the lock tumbler, but the bolt won’t move when I pull the handle. Thinking the engagement lever broke off inside. I can’t figure out a way to get the bolt to slide back manually from the lock tumbler hole. I guess next step is pry the handle set off the door, but that’s going to cause some damage!

[TG Twinkie]

Make sure the vertical shaft that locks the bolt is in the unlocked position.
Don't pry the assembly off of the door.
Not only will you damage the door severely. A replacement lock assembly is more than $800 and that is when you can find one.
Let me see if I can give you a better approach.

[The Zeeb]

Thanks. I can see the vertical shaft and can move it up and down with a small screwdriver. I assume the "up" position is unlocked given the bolt is at the bottom of the lockset. Is that a correct assumption?

[TG Twinkie]

I sent you an email.
I may not have internet for a couple of days. It doesn't mean I am ignoring you.
I will also work on a way to open one of the windows. Pushing a screen out is much easier and cheaper to replace than this lock assembly.

[The Zeeb]

Just to follow up on this string for anyone who encounters a similar problem:

1. I pulled the lock tumbler out by drilling a deck screw straight into it. Then used a large sponge and a hunting rifle mount I happened to have in the back of my pickup as a fulcrum against the door below the lockset. Used a pry-bar and easily popped the lock tumbler out. No damage to the door or lockset.

2. I used a small flat-head screwdriver and lifted up the brass vertical shaft that locks the bolt into the unlocked position. "Up" is unlocked.

3. I used a claw-end screwdriver and gently inserted it underneath the bottom right corner of the KT lockset housing. I lifted up the corner, which broke off at an old crackline which I had noticed years ago and painted over. This created a very small access hole right over the bolt.

4. I inserted the claw-end screwdriver and was able to easily pull the bolt back, then pull the door open. The bolt is spring-loaded, of course, so I had to hold it in the open position while pulling the door open.

5. The inside door lever was functional, so I pulled the lever up and taped it to the interior of the door to keep the bolt from snapping back into place.

I will now need to remove the KT lockset and fix the problem, which I anticipate being a snapped lever on the inside of the flap handle which pulls the bolt back.

Thanks, TG Twinkie, for your advice and for reaching out to me via email. I appreciate it, and I look forward to staying in touch.

[Shapmaui]

Originally Posted by The Zeeb

Just to follow up on this string for anyone who encounters a similar problem:

1. I pulled the lock tumbler out by drilling a deck screw straight into it. Then used a large sponge and a hunting rifle mount I happened to have in the back of my pickup as a fulcrum against the door below the lockset. Used a pry-bar and easily popped the lock tumbler out. No damage to the door or lockset.

2. I used a small flat-head screwdriver and lifted up the brass vertical shaft that locks the bolt into the unlocked position. "Up" is unlocked.

3. I used a claw-end screwdriver and gently inserted it underneath the bottom right corner of the KT lockset housing. I lifted up the corner, which broke off at an old crackline which I had noticed years ago and painted over. This created a very small access hole right over the bolt.

4. I inserted the claw-end screwdriver and was able to easily pull the bolt back, then pull the door open. The bolt is spring-loaded, of course, so I had to hold it in the open position while pulling the door open.

5. The inside door lever was functional, so I pulled the lever up and taped it to the interior of the door to keep the bolt from snapping back into place.

I will now need to remove the KT lockset and fix the problem, which I anticipate being a snapped lever on the inside of the flap handle which pulls the bolt back.

Thanks, TG Twinkie, for your advice and for reaching out to me via email. I appreciate it, and I look forward to staying in touch.

Zeeb- hows your lock fix going? I am looking for a teeny tiny part off a KT lock that no one wants any longer. Are you able to fix yours? Or will you be willing to pass it on? I have taken my KT apart and just cleaned it. It was working great, all shiny and new, until a small ball bearing fell out, along with a small spring and set screw which fell into a small crack under my sink, of course, literally the only crack anywhere in sight. And the spring and set screw are gone..Not the spring that goes around the bolt. This one is about a 10th the size of that one, and its internal behind the lever that locks and unlocks the bolt...

[TG Twinkie]

You can get the spring, set screw and ball from Out of Doors Mart.
These are the parts that hold the lock shaft in the "lock" or "unlock" position.
Good luck.

[Shapmaui]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

You can get the spring, set screw and ball from Out of Doors Mart.
These are the parts that hold the lock shaft in the "lock" or "unlock" position.
Good luck.

GREAT! I will check now.. thank you!

[TG Twinkie]

380635 old SKU3047 - Locking Ball and Spring for Airstream trailers from years 1970-77. This Ball and Spring go on lock SKU3031. See Pictures Below.