How to Repair an Old Fashioned Door Lock Mechanism
- Lubricate. Door locks and knobs are full of moving metal parts that need to be kept lubricated to work properly.
- Dismantle. Remove all trim screws from the doorknob and lock hardware. You may only find screws on the lock casing...
- Repair. Replace any obviously broken pieces and lubricate the entire interior of the lock.
Full Answer
How to repair an old fashioned door lock mechanism?
Spray the lock mechanism with a silicone or graphite lubricant. Be sure to lubricate any place where metal rubs against metal. Replace the side cover plate and tighten the retaining screw. Check...
How do you repair door locks?
Repair. Replace any obviously broken pieces and lubricate the entire interior of the lock. Lubricate the entire interior of the casing and reinstall it into the door edge. Examine the doorknob if ...
How to remove old door lock?
Remove a Door Lock in 3 Steps
- Parts of a Door Lock. Plug or cylinder: Part where the key goes, or the "guts" of the lock. ...
- Remove the Latch Plate. The latch plate is a small piece of metal held in place on the edge of the door by two screws. ...
- Remove the Casing Bolts. The casing is the decorative and functional cap covering the guts of the lock. ...
- Pull the Lock Out. ...
How to replace screen door handle lock mechanism?
- Begin by removing the screws from the door knob on the interior side of your door. ...
- Remove the two screws from the latch plate on the edge of the door and remove the latch from the opening.
- In some cases, door latch plate mortises might need to be cut or enlarged.
How to get a broken key out of a lock?
Key Is Broken Off in Lock. Using pliers, try to grip and pull the key straight out. If you can’t get a grip even with needle-nose pliers, cut off a coping saw blade and, with the teeth pointed outward, insert the blade into the keyway and try to hook and drag the key out. As a last resort, remove the cylinder.
How to remove rim lock?
Surface-mounted rim lock: Unscrew and remove the cover, called a “case.” Tighten the cylinder setscrews. Replace the case.
How to tighten a mortise lock?
They should be in line with the center of the cylinder. Tighten the setscrew (s) by turning clockwise— be sure they engage the slot that runs along the edge of the cylinder (the key slot should be perfectly vertical). Replace the faceplate.
Why doesn't my door latch click?
Door Lock Doesn’t Latch Properly. When a door latch doesn’t click into position, it usually means the latch and the strike plate are out of alignment. Tighten the hinge screws and then try adjusting the strike plate by loosening its screws and shifting it slightly.
What to do if the latch does not reach the strike plate?
If the latch does not reach the strike plate, shim out the plate, or add another strike plate on top of it (remove the screws and run them through both plates). If the latch still will not reach, shim out the door’s hinges. As a last resort, remove the door’s hinges and shim them to adjust the door’s position.
Why is my master lock not working?
Master Lock. The lock mechanism may not work simply because the lock is dirty or dry and needs to be lubricated with graphite (do not use any type of oil because this will gum-up the works). An improperly functioning latch may be the result of a poorly fitting door.
How to extract a broken key?
Use needle-nose pliers to extract a broken key. Stanley
How to fix a lock that won't turn?
If your lock does not engage when you turn the key, you may be able to fix it with lubrication alone. Apply a generous amount of a silicone-based lubricating spray to the interior of the lock. Insert the key and begin to turn it back and forth, working the lubricant further into the mechanism.
What is an antique door lock?
One type of old-fashioned or antique door lock is the mortise lock, which consists of a thin, rectangular box housing the lock mechanism that is installed within the body of the door. Routine maintenance is required to keep any lock in good working order, so older locks are more prone to breakage due to neglect over years of use.
What to do if your car lock is seized?
If the lock is seized and does not respond to lubrication and repair of missing parts, you'll need to take the casing to a locksmith for professional repair. Alternatively, you can purchase a replacement casing, then reinstall the original trim.
What to do if your keys are not turning?
If your keys are not turning smoothly or you feel resistance, apply more lubricant to the lock interior. Check all trim screws each time you lubricate the door, and tighten any loose ones. Make sure the latch is aligned with the strike plate on the door trim opposite the latch and adjust the plate as necessary.
What to do if your door is open but the deadbolt does not turn?
In case your door is open but the deadbolt does not turn, you should try applying some lubrication on your key and the keyhole to remove rusting that is possibly the lock binder.
Why do locks get jammed?
A lot of locks get jammed because of debris. We believe a dry lubricant helps keep dirt and dust out of the whole lock mechanism better than an oil-based product. You should opt for graphite or Teflon lubricants.
How to make loose screws spin?
Tighten these loose screws with a suitable screwdriver. You can make them spin more easily by applying a lubricant spray.
How to remove key from keyhole?
Slide your extractor inward and outward until this item interlocks with your key inside. Next, remove the key by gently pulling your extractor away from this keyhole.
What happens if you loosen the hinges on a door?
In case the hinges on your door are loosened, the latch’s position will be lower than that of the strike plate. This causes difficulties in operating the lock.
Why is my key useless?
When your key is useless for a door, it is possible that the key is having faulty ridges, not enough lubrication, or sometimes cold weather is a cause.
Does weather affect door lock?
Although it may sound weird at first, the weather plays an important role in how your door lock and key perform.
How to fix a loose door lock cylinder?
1. Remove the Lock Faceplate. To fix the loose door lock cylinder, you need access to the set screws holding the cylinder in the lock. In many cases, removing the faceplate is enough, but in some cases, you may also need to remove parts of the lock from the door. 2.
Why do you need to disassemble a lock?
You need to disassemble the lock to see how the set screws are positioned. Different lock types will have them positioned in different ways. Rim locks, for example, will position the set screws in such a way you can access them easily once you pop out the outer case.
When Should You Call a Locksmith to Fix a Door Lock Cylinder?
Technical DIY is not for everyone. If the processes described above seem overwhelming, you should probably call in a locksmith. Here are some legitimate reasons why you should allow a locksmith to fix your door lock cylinder instead of going it alone:
What happens if you put a key in a door?
Inserting your key into your door should allow you to lock and unlock your door with ease. However, if the door lock cylinder is loose, you’ll meet little to no resistance when you are implementing the locking or unlocking mechanism. This suggests that the set screws are either damaged or loose.
What to do if you find a broken screw?
Once you are done tightening the screws, close the faceplate and test the lock to see if the cylinder is tight enough.
What to do if your lock has rust?
If you find that the lock has some rust in it, consider using a lock spray to ensure there is no friction.
How to install a new cylinder?
Once you’re ready to install the new cylinder, you can do so by following these steps: Insert the key inside your cylinder and turn it a bit to the left or right to ensure the carrier is aligned with the cylinder. Then place the cylinder inside the lock.
FAQs
Locksmiths can fix sliding door locks in a variety of situations with repair or replacement. Even if they cannot solve an underlying issue such as foundational shifting, lifting root systems, seasonal wood expansion, they can remedy the most troubling symptoms.
1. Lubrication
In many cases, all it takes to fix a sliding door lock is a little lubricant. This fix is not always permanent, but it can get your sliding door open for further repairs or replacement. Before we get to the application of the lubricant, you need to make sure you have the right substance.
2. Door Fixes
Sometimes you cannot fix sliding door locks because the issue lies with the door itself. This is exceedingly common for sliding door locks. Because the track is so long and the tolerances are so tight, any disruption to that surface is going to affect the door’s ability to open.
3. Lock Repair
Lock repair is what most people think of when they picture how to fix a sliding door lock. This is the process of mending or replacing parts of the lock without changing the lock entirely. Doing this work yourself is not always possible and often requires a locksmith.
4. Lock Replacement
Sometimes the best way to fix a sliding door lock is to replace the lock. This is done in instances where the existing lock cannot be disassembled without breaking, when replacement parts are no longer available, or when the cost of a new lock is cheaper than new parts.
