Hi

My Kryptonite New York (3000) U-lock is rusted on the inside locking area. So far, it has been a real pain to unlock my bike. It takes a lot of work and hassle and a lot of prying to unlock the U-Lock because of rust. Any suggestions on what should / could be done? Do I have to replace the lock?

Mainly because of commuting and the rain/snow that screwed up my Krypty lock...

I had the same problem and used some 3-in-1 oil in the lock cylinder. You can get the oil at just about any hardware store (Ace) or Walgreens drug store. The lock works great now.

I use a "wet" chain lube, like Pedro's Syn Lube. A drop or two in the keyhole and a little bit on the... um... whatever that thing is called that slides out and latches on to the notches in the U, work it in a little (then wipe off the key) and it's just fine.

Elusor - like most things, your Kryptonite lock needs a little TLC to keep it working smoothly. Check out our FAQ page, maintenance section, on our brand new website for some tips.https://www.kryptonitelock.com/CustomerService/FAQ.aspx
Should help in no time.
Safe riding,
Donna
Kryptonite

yeah, the thing that notches the U, that is what is giving me grief, the key seems to turn like a hot knife in butter

but pulling the lock apart is hardest

thanks

You can clean off the rust with phosphoric acid(Naval Jelly). Then apply some bearing grease to keep it rust free and moving freely.

cool thanks

...i don't have ready access to phosphoric acid, any suggestions on where to purchase this?

do i have to go to the laboratory supplies shop at the university laboratory?
or is clr enough or not enough

what molarity are we talking here?

i don't have ready access to phosphoric acid, any suggestions on where to purchase this?

check walmart automotive dept. should be labeled "Rust Remover" and come in a 8-10oz jar/bottle.

hope this helps.

Happened to me too. A bit of olive oil fixed it...

I've used WD-40 followed by Tri-Flow lube. Fixed 'er right up. Problem was, this was the old round key style. I've since upgraded to the Large NY U lock.

When I get a lock rusted up, I generally get a dry spray lube and hose down the keyhole until the stuff drips out the other side. My poison of choice right now is DuPont teflon+wax lube.

If it's badly rusted you may have to go with oil instead, since the dry lubes aren't much of a solvent and won't clean up an existing mess. I don't like oil in locks because ISTM that it'll just attract dirt.

No need to get all fancy here. It is called Naval Jelly in hardware stores. CLR might help, but it won't do as good a job as the Naval Jelly. Just be sure to wear gloves(not latex)!

After a three-week vacation, I returned to my locks and found one rusted shut. You think spraying some lube or WD40 into the lock will pry things open?
(My problem, by the way, is the same as Elusor's; the keyhole is fine. It's the intersection of the U and the bar where things are stuck. Naval jelly isn't a option for me until I pry the thing open.)

Is that anything like toe jam?

And thanks for the tips everyone. This thread's reminded me that I need to clean up my U Lock when I get home.

All it needs is oil, apply some to the moving parts and wiggle them around to work it back where you can't apply it directly. Even brand new locks work better after a drop of oil on the important bits. Don't go after it with acid, the rust that's binding your lock is buried where you can't get the acid, and even if it did manage to wick back into the lock and do its business, you'll never be able to get it all out. If it's frozen, apply some thin oil like 3 in 1 or Marvel Mystery oil and let it sit for a little bit so it can seep back into the crevices. Then start wiggling things around until the frozen parts start moving again. Careful leverage and creative bashing are helpful for seriously bound up things. Some people find the uttering of loosening incantations to be helpful when things get really stubborn.

Try PB Blaster or another penetrating oil to loosen the rusty parts. You might want to whack the rusty area with a tool after spraying it to help the oil get in and to loosen things up.

Use WD-40 as preventative maintenance.

Thanks for the suggestions. I used some 3-in-1 oil last night before going home. It still didn't work. So I let it sit overnight, and — voila! The only downside: Now I have to perform maintenance on my locks?

Same thing happened to my U-lock, only it seemed to be in the keyhole. I suppose I should have tried repairing it before buying a new one! I've still got it as a backup though, maybe a bit of oil will bring it back into service...

This is the same problem I was having. Thanks to all who posted replies pertinent to the u-bar being stuck. Web search ftw

A Bic pen works... check youtube...

Wet lube collects dust, which clumps up in the cylinders, this can break the lock.

Use a dry lube, like silicon spray at any automotive store or department store automotive section. After a few mins it's completely dry (won't collect grit) and will stop binding, also prevents rust fairly well. My Krypto U lock lock froze shut due to a little rust, it's been over a year since I sprayed it, no issues at all since then.

Just bumping to say THANKS! I sprayed WD-40 and then dry lube into the keyhole and it didn't help. Finally I did the same thing to holes where the "U" connects to the lock, and it popped out easily.

If I were to lube my U-lock, would I be better off using WD-40, or a dry lube such as this? https://www.amazon.com/Finish-Line-Bi.../dp/B002IDZXRM

And I put it in the keyhole and the other moving parts?

Graphite in the keyhole, teflon spray on the other bits. Doesn't need to be bicycle specific (same goes with every other type of lube used on a bike, but that starts a debate.)
If ya have some dry chain lube laying around, use what ya got.

Man......that's a long time ago.