How can a door cylinder be changed quickly and easily?

The objective of this short tutorial is to show you the different steps to follow to change the cylinder of your door quickly and simply without having to resort to a large arsenal of equipment. Indeed, there are simple methods for these types of manipulations that everyone can understand and practice by following a few rules. As usual, we begin by listing the different materials and tools to be used for this operation. In this case, it does not require much as working tools. Just a screwdriver and a tape measure are enough to be able to change your cylinder (also called a barrel) quickly without wiping up any sweat. But note that the ingenuity of a professional locksmith can save you a lot of time in spite of the meagre expenses. First of all, even before you buy your new cylinder, you must take the measurements of the old one. To do this, you must first disassemble it by first removing the flat screw on the edge of the door at the lock. Then, you have to push the cylinder from the back while pulling at the front with the key. Make sure that the key is turned slightly in the opening direction so that the cylinder can be pulled out. If you take a closer look at the cylinder, you will see that the door lock, which is called the rotor, is only completely aligned with the rest of the cylinder if the cylinder is turned slightly in the opening direction.

A word about the parts of a cylinder and the measurement

As you will have noticed, in terms of length, the cylinder is divided into two parts: a fixed part called the stator and the mobile part called the rotor which rotates on itself in a manual movement. To differentiate between them, simply place the cylinder in front of you and the rotor will come out to the right. Not all cylinders have the same level of locking complexity. It all depends on the number of pins (5 to 36). The more pins a cylinder has, the more secure the locking is guaranteed. Also note that European cylinders differ from American or Canadian cylinders. For the measurement, it is necessary to take the meter and evaluate the total length of the cylinder in millimetres. The two lengths are separated by a threaded hole, which accommodates the screw.

Assembling the new cylinder

The new cylinder must, of course, have the same dimensions as the old one in order to fit on the lock. Once you have the new cylinder, the assembly is easy. Simply position it in the lock by turning the key in the opening direction. Then you have to put the screw back in by tightening it properly. Take the trouble to check that both the opening and closing functions are working properly. If everything is ok, you win.