Alko lock

[DeliDave]

Went to check van in storage and noticed pin lock looked a bit cruddy,tried it and lock was tight think water had caused corrosion,got it off with WD40 and a struggle but its very rough,am checking on new one today.You would tink it would be protected against corrosion,they cant expect it to be kept under cover all the time.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi David,

There are manufacturer's recommendations that the sliding parts (particularly the lock body and the mounting points) of an ALKO Safety coupling lock and all other security devices need to be kept well lubricated.

Coating the lock body with "White Lithium Spray Grease" (which dries into a grease film in a few seconds) is the way to go. Our ALKO lock is 3 years old and like new.

Why isn't the lock (all locks for that matter) corrosion proof? For the simple reason that the corrosion resistant materials are not the strongest materials, nor the most resistant to cutting, bending, drilling, whatever. Corrosion resistant (stainless) steel is much inferior to a hardened steel in this application - except for the corrosion aspect.

In addition to lubrication, you can help by covering the lock with a rain protector (from a breathable fabric bag from Towsure to a carrier bag taped over the coupling)

Robert

 

[DeliDave]

I always thought that powdered graphite was the only lock lubricant,sadly Alko told me the same as rob jax(thanks for input).However they now do a rubber cover which he is sending me,if lock is no better I will buy a new one,dont want to risk being secured a hundred miles from home.

 

[rob_jax]

David,

Graphite or Molybdenum Disulfide powder (better) are great for the internal mechanisms of a lock kept in the dry, they don't provide corrosion protection - especially if the lock is flooded with water.

That's why something as simple as a Tesco carrier bag taped over the coupling head works really well, it stops the water pooling in the lock surround.

Robert

 

[rob_jax]

And WD40 has no long term protection - it's just a paraffin oil (like a decolorised Esso Blue paraffin) with a cute fragrance - and soon evaporates.

White Lithium grease will last for years.

Robert

 

[DeliDave]

i,ll certainly remember that I think it will be an expensive lesson if I have to buy a new lock

 

[Tonyex]

David

If you have registered your lock -as recommended- get in touch with Alko. I have an ALko lock on my van bought in October 06, and a couple of weeks after registering it Alko sent me, unsolicited, a flexible stopper to fit in the cylinder to prevent the trouble you have. It seems this is something they have had to bring out as it is not listed in any of the paperwork.

 

[DeliDave]

yes i did register it was worried more about key problems then.They have sent me the rubber stopper today,looks like it could easily be lost,probably put it on a cord of some kind.Have soaked lock all night in WD40 as Alko suggested and am hoping I can use it.