Everything you need to know about the Mailbox lock Replacement
Why do you need to replace the mailbox lock? If you lost the keys, you should replace them as soon as possible because your mailbox contains personal information. Secondly, in the case of any lock malfunction, you need to replace it to access your personal information. So, the question is how to replace the mailbox lock. You need to drill into the lock, open the mailbox, then replace it with the new one. But if you do not want to be involved in a complicated situation, you need to hire a professional locksmith to save you from all the hustle.
Mailbox Lock Replacement
Replacing the lock alone can be very hectic as you face several problems. It would be best if you had tools like a drill machine, wrench, and new lock to replace the old one. Then you need to fold would be best if you had pure, like removing the old lock and replacing it with a new one by adjusting the screws. This article will tell you everything you need about mailbox lock replacement.
What do you need?
Replacing the lock can be a trick if you need the right work tools. There are certain things that you need to have:
Replacement lock
The most important thing is that you need to buy the replacement lock. You can buy this from local hardware shops and online sites like amazon. While buying the new lock, the key factor is to check the size of your old lock and buy accordingly.
The new lock should be made of heavy metal like nickel or steel so that it lasts longer and you do not have to face problems.
Drill machine
You need to open the mailbox to pull out the old lock, but this can be a problem if you need the keys. In this case, you can use drill machines to remove the old lock and replace it. But you must be careful because the drill machine can destroy your mailbox.
Wrench To open the nuts and bolt, you need a wrench. The wrench can be of different sizes, so you
must choose the wrench according to your mailbox size.
How to replace the lock
Please follow the step-by-step procedure to remove the lock.
Step 1 Open the mailbox.
To replace the lock, you must first access the lock by opening the mailbox. You must drill the mailbox with a machine if you lose the keys. The mailbox is fragile and can be destroyed with pressure. If you think you can damage the mailbox, it is better to hire a professional locksmith.
Mostly, the postmaster has the keys. You can also wait for them to open the mailbox. This will saves you from a lot of hustle.
Step 2 Open the screws of the lock.
To remove the old lock, you need to unscrew the nuts. For this purpose, you can use the wrench according to the size of the lock. After that, you need to slide the lock bar, and the metal pin holding the lock should be removed. If you use the drill machine, you can avoid this hustle as
the lock can be destroyed entirely in this procedure.
Step 3 Remove the locking cam.
The next step is removing the locking cam, which will be at the back of the lock. To identify it, you need to lock for the S shape. Now, you need to replace the old lock with the new lock as we get rid of the old lock.
Step 4 Replace the old lock with a new one.
Could you place the lock at the back of the mailbox from where you reremovedhe the old lock? While attaching the lock, could you please place it vertically? Please don’t worry. This procedure is simpler than it sounds, and you will get an idea while replacing the lock. You can use nuts or pins to hold the lock. If you are using nuts, you need to tighten it properly with the help of a wrench so that the lock stays in its place. But if you use pins, you must
use channel locks to keep the lock tightened. Please be careful while pulling the lock, as your documents will be at risk if you don’t mind.
Step 5 Could you attach the latch?
To move the lock, please make sure to attach the latch. So, use nuts or screws to attach the latch to the lock. The final step is that you need to make sure that the latch is working properly. To check this, you need to insert your keys, and if you can remove them easily, you have successfully replaced the lock. But in case of complications, you need to check the size of the latch and adjust it according to the lock’s size.
FAQS
How much does it cost to replace the mailbox lock?
It depends on the place you are living. If you are living in cities like Texas, New York, and California, then it will cost around 60 dollars. But in other places, you can replace the lock for 30 to 40 dollars. If you are still determining if your locksmith is charging you a lot, you can check the different locksmiths and compare the price.
Is it legal to replace the mailbox by yourself?
In the case of UPSC-owned property, it is illegal to replace the lock by yourself. But in most properties, replacing the lock by yourself is legal. You must complain to the management and wait for them to replace the lock.
Conclusion
We hope you understand how to replace the mailbox lock. To avoid the legal
consequences, in some areas, you need to report to the management to replace the lock. But if
you are not living in the UPSC-owned properties, you can replace the lock by using drill
machines to pull out the lock, adjust the new lock with the help of a wrench and then attach the
latch. You can replace the lock by following the instructions I’ve included above.
