Legge 707 lock spring dislodged.. where/how to relocate?

[kiwiian]

I have a problem with a late 1970’s Legge 707 (I think) lock. I have it on my shed external door and the lock suddenly jammed. I can see clearly why it jammed after taking it apart. However when opening the lock the spring dropped out (it was loose inside and allowed the D-shaped gate to rise up and jam).

My dilemma is that I cannot fathom how to get the spring back into place. I have tried all different orientations and angles but none successfully keep the tension where it is meant to be. I have looked endlessly online for a diagram or any reference to this spring on this particular lock to no avail. #-o
I have attached a couple of photos and would appreciate any help I can get.
Cheers
Ian

 

[RobinBHM]

My guess would be the spring goes over the rod sticking out on left hand side and clips over the lug of the sliding plate that the latch fixes to.

The plate has a lug on both sides, so Im guessjbg it reversible.

If the spring came off, is it because its broken? Or lost tension....

 

[AndyT]

I agree with Robin. That stud looks like the anchor point.
Look on the inside of the casing for a shiny place where one end of the spring rubs against it.
The hooked end probably hooks over the big bit of steel that moves to work the latch.

 

[kiwiian]

Hi thanks for the feedback Robin..
I did try it with the coiled part of the spring sitting on the 'post' on the left but was not sure which way up the spring sits to get some tension happening. The spring has good tension (when the two ends are held together it forces itself apart strongly) so its matter of which way up and which end is attached to the sliding plate to ensure the latch is held closed and also where the other end is positioned to get some purchase.
Andy, I did notice the top plate has a shiny spot right above the hole in the plate which suggests the hook end goes there.... however no matter which way I rotate and flip the spring I can't get purchase/leverage at the other end to create tension. Nothing on the case walls to help unfortunately. I was hoping for a photo of the spring in place to solve the problem.
I will keep at it tho... I am determined to get this sorted! (hammer)

 

[AndyT]

Does this work?

 

[Alexam]

I see that you can still get these if you need to rreplace it. https://www.safe.co.uk/products/legge-7 ... -60mm.html

 

[kiwiian]

Thanks for the photo Andy... I have tried that all ways up without success. You plan stretches the spring the wrong way... it also jams against the bottom 'D' thereby stopping the latch from going anywhere. The spring is designed to spring 'open', not closed. So the two ends have to travel towards each other (putting it under tension) when the latch is open so the spring keeps trying to send the latch back out again.
Time to give up and just buy another one after all. Hate that!
Thanks again for your thoughts gentlemen.... unless anyone comes across a photo of the spring actually in place then it's off the the store for a new one.
Cheers
Ian

 

[Setch]

The springs sits on the spigot to the left of the latch. It engages either on the back edge of the brass portion of the latch, or in the hole directly behind. The other end levers off the side of the case.

For clarity - you will need to tension the spring to fit it. You insert it so the short, unhooked leg is emerging from the bottom of the coil, and points towards the back of the case. Once the coil is engaged on the spigot, and this leg is constrained by the case, you can pull the other leg round and hook it into position. The backplate of the lock will prevent it jumping out when installed, but they can be a trial to hold inplace whilst fitting the backplate. Good luck!

 

[Setch]

Ps: don't get a new one, these are horrible bits of tut, but new ones are worse. 10 years Locksmithing gave me a persistent dislike for these locks, if you have to replace, switch it for a Yale 88 or 89.

 

[ColeyS1]

Nice one Setch. I remember this thread but never knew if they figured it out.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Well, the OP was only here for a week 18 months ago so he has probably either fixed it or scrapped it.

 

[Setch]

Hmm, that's a fair cop. How in the hell did this end up where I saw it?! I blame the new similar posts feature....

 

[ChrisCnz]

Hi all, just a follow-up for any other folk searching in future.
I had the same problem as kiwiian, and have fixed it.
Here's the picture of how the spring should sit.