Specifications

A
Schlage A53PD is a very common
entry lock. To rekey the lock is
actually quite simple. First take the
key that operates the lock and insert it
into the cylinder (Photograph 1.) Turn
the key clockwise, and with a small
piece of wire, push the retainer on the
side of the knob inward (Photograph
2.) With the wire pushed in, pull out
on the knob to release it from the
housing. Once the knob has been
removed, take the back cover plate off
the knob and remove the cylinder.
Using the same piece of wire used
to depress the knob retainer, depress
the retainer pin on the back of the
lock plug (Photograph 3.) Unscrew
the cylinder cap from the lock plug
and remove it. Now, with the
operating key in the cylinder and
turned, place a following tool on the
back of the plug and push the plug out
of the cylinder (Photograph 4.) Rekey
the plug to a new combination bitting
then reverse the order used to
disassemble the cylinder to reas-
semble it.
I
f you do not have a key for this knob
and you can’t pick it open or
impression a key for it, you can
disassemble the lock to remove the
lock cylinder and then make a key or
rekey it. To do so, first remove the
cotter keys from both sides of the
locks mechanism housing cover
(Photograph 5.) Then remove the
housing cover by sliding it off
(Photograph 6.)
With the housing cover removed,
bend the frame retainer post out
slightly to remove the back of the
inner knob shaft (Photograph 7.) To
remove the inner knob shaft, place
your finger on the latch slide
mechanism and push it in. Then grab
the inner knob shaft and pry it out
(Photograph 8.) The inner return
springs will also pull with the inner
knob shaft (Photograph 9.) With the
inner knob shaft removed you can
then remove the cam inside the
spindle (Photograph 10.) All the
August 1996 • 43
BEGINNER’S CORNER
Servicing the Schlage
A53 PD Entry Lock
by
Jim
Langston
1. First take the key that operates the lock and insert it into the
cylinder.
2. Turn key and with a
small piece of
wire, push the
retainer on the
side of the knob
3. Depress the retainer pin on
the back of the lock plug.
4. Place a
following tool
on the back of
the plug and
push the plug
out of the
cylinder.
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