Técnicas e instrumentos de acopio de información

A side bar wafer lock is constructed much like a disk tumbler lock seen previously. However, the lock does not depend upon the disks to disengage from a slot in the shell. A side bar wafer lock uses the wafers, which resemble disks, to re- lease a side bar that disengages from a slot in the shell. Once the side bar is released, the plug can turn, opening the lock. The side bar is only released when all five or six wafers or disks are in the proper position as set by the cuts in the key. A typical wafer/side bar arrangement is shown inFigure 33.

Side bar wafer locks provide a greater degree of security than simple disk tumbler locks. They are extremely difficult to pick and can be made inexpensively and in a compact

package. Side bar wafer locks will make up a large amount of your locksmith work. This is because they find use as ignition, door, and trunk or rear hatch locks for most General Mo- tors automobiles and light trucks. The five types of wafers that you might find inside a side bar wafer lock are shown inFigure 34.These wafers may be identified by a number, one through five, stamped on the wafer. However, on some wafers, you may see the letters C, N, B, or Y. These letters stand for copper, nickel, black and yellow, respec- tively. If the lock you disassemble has no letter marking on one wafer, it will be equal to a number five wafer.

The removal of the lock from the vehicle is the first step in rekeying this lock. Ignition and trunk locks are normally re- moved by driving out a retaining pin to release the shell of the lock. Door locks are removed after removing the locking linkage. Normally a specially shaped clip is used to hold the

FIGURE 33—In this cutaway view of a side bar wafer lock, you can see how the disks or wafers must be aligned to have the side bar come free of the shell.

lock shell. Exact details on lock removal from automobiles are available in automotive service manuals.

To rekey this type of lock, you will have to remove the spring and disk retainer cover. Pry upwards on the cover with a small screwdriver and it will come free of the shell. Very often, this cover will be bent or distorted upon removal and require re- placement after you have moved the disks. These covers are available at locksmith supply stores or by mail order.

With the cover removed, begin lifting the six internal springs from the lock with a pair of tweezers. Place these springs in your pin tray or other container.

The most important step in rekeying this lock comes next. You should decode the original key or study the wafers in the lock carefully to decide exactly which disks to move. If the original key code was, for example, 4, 4, 5, 3, 4, 1, then switching the first and second, or first, second, and fifth wa- fers would not rekey the lock. A better rekeying method would produce a new code key arrangement such as 4, 5, 4, 4, 1, 3. This arrangement would surely render the original key useless.

The actual rekeying will be performed by lifting the desig- nated wafers out of the plug and replacing them in their new location. After this action has been performed, you can clean the lock thoroughly and begin replacing the springs. Once the springs are replaced, a new spring retainer cover can be inserted in the shell. Make sure this retainer is held in the shell tightly. If it is loose, bend the tangs of the retainer slightly outward to hold it in the shell. You can also lightly dent the tangs with a punch or other sharply pointed object to further improve the retaining force of the tangs.

Finally, you are ready to cut the key for the lock. The easiest method is to record what wafers are in position in the lock and code cut a key. The chart on the next page lists the code numbers, cut dimensions, and micrometer settings for your rekeyed side bar wafer lock.

Now you can cut the new key for the lock using the micrometer settings listed in the chart above. Remember to debur this key and check its operation before giving the key to your customer. It is also a good idea to lightly lubricate the lock using WD-40. Never use oil, grease, or any type of mineral- or paraffin-base lubricants. These types of lubricants tend to collect dust and dirt over time. This dust and dirt will later become a thick paste. This paste will cause the lock to malfunction. WD-40 comes in a can with a small nozzle and cap. This nozzle can be inserted into the lock and the tube squeezed to place a small amount of WD-40 in the moving mechanisms of the lock.