How do I unlock a locked OEM pannier? The lock has fallen out.

[ozmoto]

Went on an overnighter yesterday and when I arrived at my destination I discovered the lock from the right hand OEM pannier was missing.
Apart from attacking the pannier with an axe, is there an easy way to unlock and open the pannier?

Thanks.

 

[catang5oh]

I can usually just pull mine towards the outside and they will pop off the lock catch.

 

[Nev..]

Went on an overnighter yesterday and when I arrived at my destination I discovered the lock from the right hand OEM pannier was missing.
Apart from attacking the pannier with an axe, is there an easy way to unlock and open the pannier?

The lock will just be activating a mechanism to open or release the pannier which is very close to the lock, so with the barrel out, you should be able to get in there with a bit of coathanger wire and activate the release. Probably easiest to have a close inspection of the left pannier. You might even need to remove the lock from the left pannier to see exactly how it activates the lock/release mechanism. Pannier locks are typically not particularly securely held in place, probably just a small circlip or similar holding it in. When you get your rhs pannier open you'll probably find that floating around inside.

 

[stomp347]

When you do get it open, locktite the 2 small screws to evade furture BS

 

[klunsford]

When you do get it open, locktite the 2 small screws to evade furture BS

::026:: no loctite, lose lock. Don't beat yourself up. I did it coming back from the dealer (when I bought my 2014 ES) who said he put lock tight on the locks when he moved them over.

 

[ozmoto]

Thanks for the advice!

I have since read via Google (and a slight change in the search words) that the base of the pannier can be unscrewed and removed giving you better access to the inside of the pannier.

Unfortunately, this is my second lost lock. The top box lock was lost on my first trip away with the ST! Luckily the lid wasn't locked properly and was relatively easy to open. And yes, I have used Loctite on it but didn't touch the panniers .....

I'll report back when it's all fixed.

 

[ozmoto]

To unlock a pannier that has lost it's lock but still has the backing plate in place:

Check the hole where the missing lock belongs. If the metal backing plate is still in position you may be lucky enough to be able to open/unlock the pannier by jumping to step 4 below. If not, follow the following steps:


To unlock a pannier that has lost it's lock and backing plate and/or remove it from the bike:

1. remove base of pannier (8 Phillips head screws)

2. retrieve metal backing plate, two screws and 1 rubber cover from inside pannier. They should drop out when you remove the base.

3. place the metal backing plate back where it belongs - check orientation (important) by looking at the positioning of the plate in the other pannier.

4. use a pair of needle-nose pliers inserted into the two screw holes on the backing plate and turn clockwise to unlock pannier lid at the same time pressing down on the pannier lid at the lock end. Turn anti-clockwise to unlock from the pannier rack so that the pannier can be removed from the bike

5. when installing the new lock check the orientation of the backing plate (looking at the backing plate on the 'good' pannier) and apply Loctite to the screw threads