Schlage Deadbolt - Key turns all the way around - Capped Screws - How to Fix

In this video we are going to cover how to replace the tailpiece on a Schlage B160 style deadbolt that was hugely popular from as early as the 40’s-50’s up until the mid-late 90’s.
Millions of these locks are still in use today and one of the most common problems has always been when the door gets misaligned and becomes difficult to lock the “tailpiece” or the part of the lock inside that engages the latch mechanism will twist and break. Often there is ample warning this is about to happen but every so often it will just suddenly break.
We will also cover what to do if there are cap pins in the heads of the screws, and briefly cover the three most common styles of Schlage locks that you will run across.
Everything in the video, has been videoed in the past and we include links to all of those older videos in this video.
If you cannot find a local locksmith with these parts we always keep them in stock, ship out products daily, and you may contact us at the email included in the video.
Note, there are different lengths of tailpieces. Most standard thickness doors 1 3/4" use the 1" long tailpiece. If the lock is mounted on a 1 3/8" older door it could possibly use the 3/4" long tailpiece and some of the older b100 "solid body" style even used 5/8" or 1/2" or even shorter tailpieces.
On thicker doors beyond 1 3/4" there are also 1 1/4" long tailpieces (that cost considerably more, btw) Always measure your existing tailpiece prior to ordering. If the tailpiece is too long it will bind the lock when you tighten the screws down! You can cut the tailpieces down with mini bolt cutters or a hacksaw if necessary

[@selock]

Note, there are different lengths of tailpieces. Most standard thickness doors 1 3/4" use the 1" long tailpiece. If the lock is mounted on a 1 3/8" older door it could possibly use the 3/4" long tailpiece and some of the older b100 "solid body" style even used 5/8" or 1/2" or even shorter tailpieces. On thicker doors beyond 1 3/4" there are also 1 1/4" long tailpieces (that cost considerably more, btw) Always measure your existing tailpiece prior to ordering. If the tailpiece is too long it will bind the lock when you tighten the screws down! You can cut the tailpieces down with mini bolt cutters or a hacksaw if necessary

[@drenyart]

Whew! Glad I found this video! A friend called me this afternoon and asked if I could help him get back into his house, because the lock cylinder would just freewheel when he turned the key. While we were talking, he thought to try the back door and was able to get into the house, where he found that the key would unlock the deadbolt from the inside but not the outside. I'm just the friendly neighborhood handyman (I hope nobody but my friends find this out), and don't have specialized knowledge and experience about locks, so I thought the lock might be haunted! He wants me to stop by tomorrow to see if I can find a solution, and this video will allow me to explain the whole thing! (Actually, I should send him a link to the video, instead!) Thanks!

[@warrencarpenter6595]

Those devil plugs are no joke. I have 8 to replace and each one is getting the Dremel trick. Thank you for the clear instructions

[@bherm1994]

Great video! I had this exact problem. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!

[@geraldskinner63]

It was (and still is) videos like these that made my first year as a Locksmith so much easier to navigate through. Always come back to them when the head scratchers come up..Thanks Jason!

[@robertworden8559]

Precisely the information I needed PLUS your closeup camera and care to keep things visible were REALLY important, Thanks for a great video!

[@Pyrolock]

I ran across one of these a while back with that exact same problem. Thanks for sharing

[@johnteague136]

Good instructions.. thanks Jason!!!

[@odinslockllc]

I come across a lot of the old National deadbolts with that similar design. I use the heck out of that painters tape too. It has many applications for use with locksmithing. Thanks for sharing!

[@LockPickingPatrolman]

Marking this day down because you showed a Banner screwdriver 🤣 had an Emtek double cylinder DB forked tailpiece that broke the other day. Lucked out that my coworker had a spare (I had tried making one but wasn’t happy with it). Also with that one, it was an 8ft custom door that was sagging. Had the convenient adjustment screw in the top of the frame to adjust the door and pulled it back up where it was supposed to be.

[@selock]

Emtek deadbolts are also one of the worst when it comes to their tailpiece breaking, but in addition their super small diameter cap pin and screw cap is absolute trash. It also has a very exact "length" and cutout to work so trying to make other brands replacement tailpieces (like LSDA's) is sometimes irritating

[@ImGumbyDangit]

We have a double Yale mortise cylinder in a sliding gate that is giving grief on one side ,(not turning to lock), but fine on the inside. I think facilities is going to replace them with Schlage.

[@Lawson855]

Thanks for the video! It just happened to me on a newer smart lock with a touchpad.

[@Manologft]

What if you don’t have access to the back side because the door is locked?

[@fwfefrtefdv4719]

Hi, may advise my door key in turning many round but still can't engage locking, Thanks

[@coldsteelfanboykatanalover3289]

what if the dead bolt will unlock but will not lock? I have a deadbolt at work that i cannot lock with the key, only from the other side with a thumb turn

[@selock]

Single cylinders of this brand and style didn’t break as often as the double cylinders but they can twist. Cheaper deadbolts like the original Defiant and similar can twist up badly and cause these issues. If the key turns to unlock but doesn’t it’s likely twisted

[@krowman8458]

Burh you gotta see the movie "The Score" especially if you're a locksmith! You remind me of Robert Deniro's bad ass locksmith character in that movie.. It's really good, ya gotta peep it!

[@jillbazeley]

What's your opinion on installing a new old stock B160 on a door with 1.5" bore? Still a good lock?

[@allisonhallman9851]

Did I miss what you called the little pieces? This is what I need to fix my lock but I don’t know what to search for.

[@selock]

Commonly called tailpieces, we do selll them if you can’t find just need the measurement of one (should be 1/2, 3/4, 1” (most common) or 1 1/4” Email [e-mail] if you’d like to order from us

[@98quay13]

If I seen my neighbors (in apartments) changing their locks with a drill while I was leaving... Then I come home n my lock is spinning... Should I make the conclusion knowing I've never had this problem even upon leaving that they screwed with my door ..

[@Michael-bs3bg]

My Schlage lock that looks very similar to that in the video is spinning and not unlocking the door when I turn the key. (Locking works fine.) I took it apart and the tailpiece is not broken. I can't figure out what's wrong; I also can't quite figure out what is the intended mechanism of the tailpiece function. It seems to catch at times, and loosely spins other times. Any idea?

[@selock]

It can not be broken but still be stripped out. It might also be the cam mechanism that the tailpiece engages with

[@jeffa847]

Mine doesn't have any plugs and there is no way to get to the back of the lock

[@rchindamo]

Just installed a new BE365 and the issue I'm having is the key inserts but it doesn't turn the lock at all. Any thoughts on what the issue could be?

[@selock]

Hold knob still, insert key, turn until cylinder "drops" in a bit, let go of knob continue to turn key while pushing in. If you hold the knob still and the key won't turn, its not the correct key

[@luisguillen4492]

Mine doesn’t work it doesn’t lock

[@krisd13]

My key came out w the lock on it

[@user-lv4qx6iz3j]

You offer no solution just talk

[@selock]

@@user-lv4qx6iz3j you no watch video, just comment