Flat tire for me on the highway this morning. We just had 4 inches of snow the day before and today it's mid 50s so it was a slushy mess getting splashed by semis changing the tire.

So I have recent experience with the lock. Came out easy even though it was caked with dried mud and dirt etc. Putting it back in was still not a problem once I realized it only goes in one way. There's a ridge on the lock and a slot in the bumper. You have to have it unlocked and oriented correctly and it will slide right back in place. Turn key and locked.

 

And you must have the key in it and in the unlocked position to re-insert it. If the key is not in it, then it is not in the unlocked position, and it would be VERY difficult to re-install.

 

Do not worry my 2010 f15o's fell out the day after I made my last payment. The back of the lock barrel was salt eaten off. Looking for the "U" shaped cam.

 

Confession - I lost my first one. Left it on the bumper. Bought a new one and keyed it by following enclosed instructions. Added a cable to prevent me losing this one.

 

It's plastic, and can be knocked out in a second with a piece of rebar and a hammer.
It's not protecting anything. Just leave it out.

 

My brother in law suggested I drop my spare and my 2011 lock was pretty stuck (almost broke the key). Once I got it out, I wanted to still have the cover in place, so I replaced the lock with a plastic threaded 3/4" conduit coupling. Once I got the threads started, it matched right up to the cover. Worked out perfect.

 

You should be able to disassemble the lock (be sure to remember the tumbler order) and clean/decorrode it.

 

Not in MN, the salt has destroyed the lock. Better maintenance on my part could have prevented this, though.