Yakima Lock help needed!

[Martinjmpr]

I'm in the process of upgrading my storage capability, and since I had an old Yakima rack (purchased in 1992 when I had my 1990 Mitsubishi Montero) I figured I'd try to re-use as much of the old rack as possible.

Of course, the Monty had gutters, while my 4runner does not, and so my gutter mounts won't work. Fortunately for me Yakima makes a very cool setup where I can remove my factory roof rack and replace the factory cross-bars with "landing pads" that then accept "control towers" (cute, huh? ) that hold the Yakima cross bars. Nice thing about this setup is that only the Landing Pads stay on the truck and they are very low profile - the rack itself installs and removes literally in seconds.

So - I got landing pads and control towers off of CL. Now, my "old" Yakima gutter-mount towers had the SKS (Same Key System) lock cores. AFAIK this is the same type of SKS lock core system that is used today.

Problem is - I want to re-use my old lock cores (the Control Towers I bought had the lock cores removed) but I can't for the life of me figure out how to remove the old cores.

Can anybody help a brother out here? I still have my old keys (and the keys work fine in the locks.) I remember I had two kinds of keys, the "regular" keys that locked and unlocked the cores, and a special "master" key to remove the core. From my recollection, the "master" key is basically a straight key with no teeth.

Now, I've found both keys, and I've tried inserting the "master" key into the lock (with the lock unlocked, of course.) But the lock core doesn't budge. Is there a trick I'm missing? Something I forgot to do? I really don't want to buy a new set of lock cores since these work just fine, but I'm flabbergasted about how to get the old lock cores out.

Will post pics later of the rack, the keys and the locks, just in case that would help.

And before anyone asks - yes, I've gone to Yakima's web site and they aren't of much help. All they say is that if I insert the master key, I should be able to pull out the lock core, but it doesn't come out. Should I be turning it, and which way? When I put the master key in and then pull out, I just pull out the key.

Thanks in advance :ylsmoke:

 

[Smksignals]

I also had a similar problem and read on the web somewhere it has something to do with old style vs new style lock cores. I had 2 sets of rail riders, one older set with cores in them, and a brand new set without cores. I bought the master key and could not get the cores out of the older set. I went and bought a new set of cores for the new rail riders, and the same master worked fine on those ...

 

[evldave]

I had the same issue, here's what I did to fix it:

Spray a ton of WD40 in and around the lock. Mine had corroded just enough to 'stick' in the lock casing and make it a pain to pull out. I would guess a penetrating lube would work too.

Once I'd sprayed it down, I just stuck the master/blank key in the lock and put sideways pressure on the lock mechanism and pulled straight out. I was putting just enough pressure for the key to press against the inside of the lock...you might have to wiggle a bit up and down (while putting sideways pulling pressure on the lock).

You could also use a very narrow set of needlenose pliers on the sides of the lock mechanism with the key in - that way the mechanism is set to release from the casing, but you can use some more leverage with the pliers.

 

[colodak]

yep evldave is on track (no pun intended) had a similar situation and that's what I had to do

 

[Ted_Z]

Spray a ton of WD40 in and around the lock. Mine had corroded just enough to 'stick' in the lock casing and make it a pain to pull out. I would guess a penetrating lube would work too.

Once I'd sprayed it down, I just stuck the master/blank key in the lock and put sideways pressure on the lock mechanism and pulled straight out. I was putting just enough pressure for the key to press against the inside of the lock...you might have to wiggle a bit up and down (while putting sideways pulling pressure on the lock).

I had to do the same thing.

You could also use a very narrow set of needlenose pliers on the sides of the lock mechanism with the key in - that way the mechanism is set to release from the casing, but you can use some more leverage with the pliers.

I used a box cutter blade to help pry the core out.

 

[HARABAS]

I came across the same scenario. I was able to remove my lock cores by first inserting key into the locked core. Then slowly turned it towards unlock while steadily pulling at the key. At about a quarter turn, the key slid out. Inserted the master key and wiggled the lock core out.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Well, no joy so far. Sprayed with WD40, tried it again twisting the master key sideways - moves a little but doesn't come out.

I left them soaked with WD40, will try again tomorrow.

 

[Ted_Z]

I See you live in Englewood, CO. I'm in South Denver just off Hampden and I-25. Since you're just down the road from me, I'd be happy to take a crack at getting the cores out for you if you want to come by. I've got a ton of Yakima/Thule junk hanging around too if you needed something. I can also show you how to re-key the cores if you ever have the need.

 

[Martinjmpr]

PM sent.

 

[Scott B.]

Well, no joy so far. Sprayed with WD40, tried it again twisting the master key sideways - moves a little but doesn't come out.

I left them soaked with WD40, will try again tomorrow.

Martin,

Try some Break Free!

I have the instruction sheet from Yakima at home - I can send you a copy if you need it.

 

[titusc]

I See you live in Englewood, CO. I'm in South Denver just off Hampden and I-25. Since you're just down the road from me, I'd be happy to take a crack at getting the cores out for you if you want to come by. I've got a ton of Yakima/Thule junk hanging around too if you needed something. I can also show you how to re-key the cores if you ever have the need.

very interested in knowing how to re-key the cores with a different key...

could you share this info here?