Locks 4 Vans Suspend the sale of hook type deadlocks due to reliability problems - Now re-released!

See updated article from July 2018 referencing the re-release of the hook bolts.

As of February 2018 Sussex Installations will not be supplying our deadlock kits with hook type locks due to the manufacturer suspending the sale of them. The hook type deadlocks have been very popular and are a good security option in many cases, but this winter has shown a reliability issue that has had a higher failure rate than the non hook type lock cases.

We had followed advice from Locks 4 Vans to encourage lubrication of the hook type lock and we have since been supplying lubricant packs within our security packages that have hook type locks and this advice can be seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo_GXa86GhA&t=2s - Lubricating of the locks has helped, but there are still a small percentage that have been jamming. 

If you have hook type deadlocks fitted then please lubricate the hook lock case once per month as the video directs, we have the lubricants on our website for the hook and the keyhole (IMPORTANT - DON'T SPRAY WHITE GREASE IN THE KEYHOLE). But if you prefer to source your own lubricant locally then you can use;

Keyhole - GT85 with PTFE

HOOK LOCK ONLY - White Lithium Spray Grease

If anyone has a problem with a hook type lock, then we suggest to 1st try the advice on our YouTube video below to see if this resolves the problem. If your lock case is stuck in the locked position, it might be possible for you to slide a flexible plastic ruler under the hook and turn the key at the same time that you use the ruler to lift the hook. Of course we will happily do this for our customers, but if you need to unlock your van door before you can wait for an appointment for us to do this then please do this carefully (with a flexible plastic ruler) so that you do not damage the paint inside your van door. If this doesn't solve the problem then we can swap the lock case for another hook type lock case and lubricate it or swap the lock case for a non hook type lock case (although some additional cutting and drilling may be required to do this).

For new lock installations we will be fitting non hook type lock cases until the Lock 4 Vans supply issue is resolved (however we have no idea at this stage how long this will be, it could be during the summer or even far longer away). We will bring you new news on this once we have it.

Below is our notification from Locks 4 Vans regarding the issue and at this stage we don't know anymore than what is in this letter below.

Thank you for your patience during this time.

Kind regards

Jeff Scott

Managing Director

Sussex Installation Team LTD

'Dear Customer,

We would like to inform you that due to manufacturing issues, we have temporarily stopped supplying Hook-lock cases as standard within our deadlock kits. Please note, this only effects the hook lock cases, we have no issues with any other parts.

'Locks 4 Vans has always set high standards ensuring that we supply reliable, quality products to our customers.  As innovators and market leaders, we have always strived to provide the most secure locking systems available and so we upgraded our deadlock kits to use a more secure Hook-lock case.

We have been informed by the supplier of the Hook-look case that a percentage of the current batch may potentially have an issue due to a manufacturing defect. Locks 4 vans has stringent quality control procedures, so we have been checking each individual lock case. However, due to a higher percentage of failures, we have limited the supply as part of our containment policy.

We have been working closely with our current supplier to rectify the problem and hope to have a resolution soon. Last year we signed off the design of a new Hook-lock case from a lock case manufacturer that have been our main lock case supplier for over 15 years. Once the new lock case is available we are confident that this product will ensure the quality and reliability that Locks 4 Vans has always been known for.

Locks 4 vans would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to thank you for your continued support. We value the relationship we have with our customers and have always aimed to provide you with excellent products and customer service.'