How can I remove a door handle set (with separate thumb turn dead lock)?

Question

It's a bathroom door with lever handles on both sides, which operate the latch. This mechanism has failed, and so when the lever handles are lowered (on either side), the latch doesn't retract sufficiently to allow the door to open. About 1½ inches below the handle is the locking device, which is a thumb turn on the inside, and a large screw head on the outside. Each handle is secured by 4 screws on either side, which come out just fine.  The side escutcheon has 2 screws, but it is also attached to the inner lock, so doesn't come away. The handles do not come off either, as they seem to be held to the door by the locking device. Is there any way to remove all this?

Inner handle http://www.flickr.com/photos/42513145@N08/4974490280/
Outer handle http://www.flickr.com/photos/42513145@N08/4974491562/
Side escutcheon plate http://www.flickr.com/photos/42513145@N08/4973878279/

? · Accepted Answer

None of your pictures are showing it but there has to be a set screw holding the inner handle on to the spindle. It is most likely at either the bottom of the handle or on the side that the handle extends from. loosen that and the handle on the inside should then unscrew off of the spindle. The other handle AND spindle should then come out. As for the thumb-turn, that too should have a set screw on the bottom of the inside turn. That *may* also need to be unscrewed but it's also likely that it will just pull straight off once the screw is released. The two flat plates with the four screws can then be removed, and finally, the entire latching mechanism will then come out with the removal if it's two holding screws. That *mechanism* will then have anywhere from 2 to 4  (perhaps more) screws holding the two halves of the case together, but watch out for springs. I believe that at least one spring has broken or moved out of place and that is why the handles are getting stuck before they have retracted the latch far enough to open the door. If you lay the *box* part flat down as you remove the screws, you should be ok to open it up. If you still have trouble with this and want to continue further, ask another question, or e-mail me. Good luck. You should be able to handle this if you just watch how everything comes apart as you do it. My guess is you will find a broken spring lodged in where it doesn't belong.
Al

Anonymous · Answer

1

bargerjr · Answer

Bathroom Door Locks And Handles

? · Answer

if you no longer need the handle or are replacing the existing one the easiest way it to hit the handle with a hammer to smash it awy but be careful to not hit door then with handle gone ie broke off then you can use a scre driver to remove internal guts then remove the rest with the screwdriver needed for the screw heads and also the jam thats how a locksmith did my door when i was locked out and he couldnt get the right lockpick set to work he hit it with a hammer and removed handle then the guts

Anonymous · Answer

There should be a grub screw in one of the thumb turn parts allowing you to remove it first

Anonymous · Answer

sure, I do, quite a few situations. Then, formerly i bypass to mattress, I examine them lower back, just to confirm they are locked. If I awaken interior the middle of the night, I ought to bypass examine the two lower back. it is not OCD, is it?

How can I remove a door handle set (with separate thumb turn dead lock)?

6 Answers