Is there a way to "fix"/refurbish a corny keg lid? Bail not applying upward pressure on one side when closed

[TkmLinus]

I just received a used corny keg, everything is good on it besides the lid. When I close the bail one of the feet does not touch the top of the keg(the other one does). There is enough clearance for a quarter to easily slide in between the foot and the keg. Comparing the feet of the lid to other lids that seal I do not see excessive wear. I tried this lid on other kegs and it does the same thing. I just placed a brand new gasket on the lid, so the problem is the bail or the feet(I'm not sure which). I hope this makes sense. Any advice on how to fix the lid?

 

[day_trippr]

It sure reads like the bail has a deformed leg on one side. I had a lid like that and somehow was able to clamp it in my bench vise then use a pair of hunky channel locks to bend both legs so the lid would seal much better than prior. But recently I had a similar thing happen and for the life of me couldn't figure out how I did it before

But, I was pressed for time. I know which keg it is - #16, literally the last keg I bought, which came from AIH in a four keg bundle. I was able to use an oversize O-ring from Williams Brewing to get by but I'd rather fix the lid. Next time it comes around I'll give it another try and take some pics.

Bottom line, the legs tend to both splay outward and forward (viewed from the end of the bail handle side), so you typically want to bend them inward and backward. Also, if the feet show significant wear (usually looks like the tip is bevelled flat) replacements can help. But your case sounds like it's going to take some bending to fix...

Cheers!

 

[Dr_Jeff]

or buy another lid ~$15

 

[Snuffy]

Or stick a quarter under the short foot.

 

[TkmLinus]

It sure reads like the bail has a deformed leg on one side. I had a lid like that and somehow was able to clamp it in my bench vise then use a pair of hunky channel locks to bend both legs so the lid would seal much better than prior. But recently I had a similar thing happen and for the life of me couldn't figure out how I did it before

But, I was pressed for time. I know which keg it is - #16, literally the last keg I bought, which came from AIH in a four keg bundle. I was able to use an oversize O-ring from Williams Brewing to get by but I'd rather fix the lid. Next time it comes around I'll give it another try and take some pics.

Bottom line, the legs tend to both splay outward and forward (viewed from the end of the bail handle side), so you typically want to bend them inward and backward. Also, if the feet show significant wear (usually looks like the tip is bevelled flat) replacements can help. But your case sounds like it's going to take some bending to fix...

Cheers!

Sounds like vice and channel lock time! I'll try to fix it before buying another. Thanks for the advice!

 

[jddevinn]

I can't remember who to give credit for the idea to. Remove the rubber stopper and add enough sand/salt that it engages.

 

[day_trippr]

"rubber stopper"?

I recently used table salt inside the plastic bail feet to get by - on the same keg - but eventually replaced the feet with new ones, and used the oversized lid O-ring...

Cheers!

 

[Lalo_uy]

As the quarter, thin pice of plastic/wood bellow the feet alway help. I use scrap of pcb.