Hi Stephen, did the chrome shackle open on 0-0-0-0? If so, turn the shackle through 90 degrees so the small tag at the base of the shackle enters the black body. Holding the shackle down against the spring force using the inside of your index finger and the bottom of you thumb, changed the dials to you chosen combination and THEN release the shackle. You can now replace the shackle in the lock body, spins the dials to a random combination and then set to your chosen combination and the shackle will open. Trust that this helps?