Stuck trailer tongue lock
 

Hi,

I have a Master Lock #34 on a trailer tongue. The lock hasn't been
used in a couple of years and now it is stuck. The key inserts A-OK
and turns, but nothing happens. No feeling of the piston thing that
goes into the ball moving, nothing. I have WD-40'd and hammered away
to no avail.

I'm new to this boat (i.e. it's mine to use if I can get it running
etc.), and I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!

Stuck trailer tongue lock
 

On May 31, 12:35*pm, Viewer wrote:
Hi,

I have a Master Lock #34 on a trailer tongue. The lock hasn't been
used in a couple of years and now it is stuck. The key inserts A-OK
and turns, but nothing happens. No feeling of the piston thing that
goes into the ball moving, nothing. I have WD-40'd and hammered away
to no avail.

I'm new to this boat (i.e. it's mine to use if I can get it running
etc.), and I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!

It's one of those round ones that you can not get cutters into huh? If
not, call the local cops and ask if they have a pair of bolt cutters
and a few minutes to help you out, or lastly rent or borrow a pair. If
it's one of the round ones, you might have to take the bolt off of the
bottom and remove they whole clamping mechanism, then without the
tounge in the way, you might be able to get a Sawsall in there.

Scotty

Stuck trailer tongue lock
 

On May 31, 1:01*pm, wrote:
On May 31, 12:35*pm, Viewer wrote:

Hi,

I have a Master Lock #34 on a trailer tongue. The lock hasn't been
used in a couple of years and now it is stuck. The key inserts A-OK
and turns, but nothing happens. No feeling of the piston thing that
goes into the ball moving, nothing. I have WD-40'd and hammered away
to no avail.

I'm new to this boat (i.e. it's mine to use if I can get it running
etc.), and I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!

It's one of those round ones that you can not get cutters into huh? If
not, call the local cops and ask if they have a pair of bolt cutters
and a few minutes to help you out, or lastly rent or borrow a pair. If
it's one of the round ones, you might have to take the bolt off of the
bottom and remove they whole clamping mechanism, then without the
tounge in the way, you might be able to get a Sawsall in there.

Scotty

I meant to say, "take the nut off of the bottom of the mechanism".
Sorry

Stuck trailer tongue lock
 

Viewer wrote:
Hi,

I have a Master Lock #34 on a trailer tongue. The lock hasn't been
used in a couple of years and now it is stuck. The key inserts A-OK
and turns, but nothing happens. No feeling of the piston thing that
goes into the ball moving, nothing. I have WD-40'd and hammered away
to no avail.

I'm new to this boat (i.e. it's mine to use if I can get it running
etc.), and I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!
Have you considered a Dremell, a metal cutting blade and a new lock?

Stuck trailer tongue lock
 

"Keith nuttle" wrote in message
...
Viewer wrote:
Hi,

I have a Master Lock #34 on a trailer tongue. The lock hasn't been
used in a couple of years and now it is stuck. The key inserts A-OK
and turns, but nothing happens. No feeling of the piston thing that
goes into the ball moving, nothing. I have WD-40'd and hammered away
to no avail.

I'm new to this boat (i.e. it's mine to use if I can get it running
etc.), and I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!
Have you considered a Dremell, a metal cutting blade and a new lock?
A friend with a smoke wrench? (Cutting torch)

Stuck trailer tongue lock
 

On May 31, 3:28*pm, "CalifBill" wrote:
"Keith nuttle" wrote in message

... Viewer wrote:
Hi,

I have a Master Lock #34 on a trailer tongue. The lock hasn't been
used in a couple of years and now it is stuck. The key inserts A-OK
and turns, but nothing happens. No feeling of the piston thing that
goes into the ball moving, nothing. I have WD-40'd and hammered away
to no avail.

I'm new to this boat (i.e. it's mine to use if I can get it running
etc.), and I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!
Have you considered a Dremell, a metal cutting blade and a new lock?

A friend with a smoke wrench? *(Cutting torch)

Smoke wrench, I like that;)

Scotty, head mechanic, Rowdy Mouse Racing ;)

Stuck trailer tongue lock
 

On Sat, 31 May 2008 09:35:32 -0700 (PDT), Viewer
wrote:

Hi,

I have a Master Lock #34 on a trailer tongue. The lock hasn't been
used in a couple of years and now it is stuck. The key inserts A-OK
and turns, but nothing happens. No feeling of the piston thing that
goes into the ball moving, nothing. I have WD-40'd and hammered away
to no avail.

I'm new to this boat (i.e. it's mine to use if I can get it running
etc.), and I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!

WD-40 ain't gonna do it for you.

What you need is some PB Blaster which has more solvents than WD-40
and is specifically designed for tasks like this. What's happened is
that the piston key that clips onto the lock's shackle is stuck or
rusted. It's on a spring that the keylock compresses.

Spray the heck out of the shackle, then turn the lock sideways and
spray into the keyhole. Let it soak for ten minutes or so, then tap
the lock with a hammer as you turn the key in the keylock.

Presto - unlocked.

Trust me - I've unfrozen pistons in cylinders with that stuff. Works
like a charm.

Stuck trailer tongue lock
 

On May 31, 5:56*pm, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:
On Sat, 31 May 2008 09:35:32 -0700 (PDT), Viewer

wrote:
Hi,

I have a Master Lock #34 on a trailer tongue. The lock hasn't been
used in a couple of years and now it is stuck. The key inserts A-OK
and turns, but nothing happens. No feeling of the piston thing that
goes into the ball moving, nothing. I have WD-40'd and hammered away
to no avail.

I'm new to this boat (i.e. it's mine to use if I can get it running
etc.), and I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!

WD-40 ain't gonna do it for you.

What you need is some PB Blaster which has more solvents than WD-40
and is specifically designed for tasks like this. *What's happened is
that the piston key that clips onto the lock's shackle is stuck or
rusted. *It's on a spring that the keylock compresses.

Spray the heck out of the shackle, then turn the lock sideways and
spray into the keyhole. *Let it soak for ten minutes or so, then tap
the lock with a hammer as you turn the key in the keylock.

Presto - unlocked.

Trust me - I've unfrozen pistons in cylinders with that stuff. *Works
like a charm.

Frekin' Short Pants!

Stuck trailer tongue lock
 

Thanks so far for the help. Here's a little more detail: Yes, it is
the kind that wraps all around the receiver and has a little mushroom
shaped thing that goes inside where the hitch ball normally does. The
lock body is about 1/4 inch steel that wraps all around (in kind of a
U shape) the part of the trailer that holds the ball. The key inserts
and turns very freely, but I can feel the locking mechanism budge or
move even a fraction.

I've been soaking it in WD 40 all day and periodically whacking it
with a hammer. I've also been trying to pry on the mushroom thingy
whenever I can. Since the lock is on a trailer and a boat is on the
trailer, I cant do much but work on it in position. I'll keep up my
technique until it either gets free or Monday comes and I relent and
call a locksmith.

Keep the ideas coming!

Stuck trailer tongue lock
 

On Sat, 31 May 2008 16:11:26 -0700 (PDT), Viewer
wrote:

Thanks so far for the help. Here's a little more detail: Yes, it is
the kind that wraps all around the receiver and has a little mushroom
shaped thing that goes inside where the hitch ball normally does. The
lock body is about 1/4 inch steel that wraps all around (in kind of a
U shape) the part of the trailer that holds the ball. The key inserts
and turns very freely, but I can feel the locking mechanism budge or
move even a fraction.

I've been soaking it in WD 40 all day and periodically whacking it
with a hammer. I've also been trying to pry on the mushroom thingy
whenever I can. Since the lock is on a trailer and a boat is on the
trailer, I cant do much but work on it in position. I'll keep up my
technique until it either gets free or Monday comes and I relent and
call a locksmith.

Keep the ideas coming!

Ah - that's a simple lever mechanism with a spring.

You really need to use PB Blaster because the levers are probably
rusted to the housing.