Alan

Randy,
For what you want to do - you can just transfer the whole lock mechanism from one cap to another and preserve what you already have assuming it works OK. In fact you can even just swap the outer cover part and keep everything else. The cover really is a PITA to take off. The biggest issue is the worry you are going to break it - although it is actually remarkably robust....

Use multiple screwdrivers and thin putty knives and heat it with boiling water
for better flexibility - oil is helpful at the critical moment! (Uhh that sounds a bit odd!)

Alan

Once you have done it once its twice as easy to do it again.

Alan

jpitman2

Alan, My mod without spring still enables locking and unlocking with key as normal, no change in usage, EXCEPT that there is no ratcheting! This is a sign of over tightening - if you want to do this, buy a new cap! I still have to check that I can make this work without modifying the end of the tumbler body, which I have done on the first one. I found it easiest (NOT EASY) to remove outer from inner by having the key in the lock, invert assembly so pressing downloads the tumbler and inner upwards, stabilize somehow (person No 2? holds outer vertical), then you have two free hands to lever the 3 teeth over the lip of the inner part - as soon as its close the outer will drop off the inner.
Yes, the tumblers are easy to re-key as they only have 3 blades vs the five in the door locks.
jp 83 Euro S AT 49k, all locks same key.