This is on the back door. Gradually lost its grip and started hanging down on each side (internal and external). Then today there was no movement at all and the door has shut. So i've taken the handles off and both little springs have lost a hook end. Can anyone tell me how to get the door open so I can get the guts of it out on the door frame side? Have tried to grab the metal bar firmly with pliers and turn it but no can do. (The metal bar just pulls through). Anyone give me any ideas? Think I'll have a wine and cool down!
bill1451,
Aug 18, 6:05pm
maybe see if you can get a hacksaw blade or something flexible in to push the tongue back, or maybe a hook made from wire you can hook around the tongue, while at the same time pulling on the door.
snoopy221,
Aug 18, 6:20pm
Pics would help However i think you are referring to a chrome handle and a square removable bar . Essentially the handle engages with the square slot in the square bar and generally can be turned either way. So simply fit and turn entire handle either way and when lock removed expect one side of the internals to be dead. Turning the other way using the other side of the internal may work.
pacewaikato,
Aug 18, 6:41pm
Take the metal bar out and turn the square with a large screwdriver.
flier3,
Aug 18, 7:08pm
Thanks so much for your responses :) I'll have to get a bigger screwdriver than I have here and try to turn the square metal piece set in the hole in the door. I thought that by leaving the rod in, I would be able to get enough purchase to turn it with the pliers I have, but not so. No pics, I'm afraid, only have an old simple phone - my god, I'm so outta date! Off for another sip of wine.
snoopy221,
Aug 18, 7:25pm
Forget ya pliers and screw ya drivers use the damn handle -LOL
simply fit and turn entire handle either way
More wine and ya'll work it out
jmma,
Aug 18, 7:50pm
As snoopy says, whats wrong with using the handle?
flier3,
Aug 18, 9:10pm
I'm not that blimmin stoopid! I did try the blimmin handles! Perhaps since breaking my wrist I just don't have the strength there. Thanks anyway. Tomorrow is another day. Go the ABs!
fertman,
Aug 19, 7:52am
My thoughts are that the tongue has come of the piece that the square rod turns. if the rod turns, and tongue does move, its come adrift. Also being a back door, is it unlocked?
nukhelenc,
Aug 19, 10:29am
Next time ya can see a problem starting to happen then maybe repair it earlier rather than waiting till the death like most folk do. It might actually save ya some time and money
maclad,
Aug 19, 10:39am
If none of this works and you are desperate then try taking pins out of hinges or unscrewing hinges. Door should come out then giving access to the plate on the latch side which should give you access to remove the entire assembly.
fast4motion,
Aug 19, 1:43pm
While that is a good and often overlooked idea, they'd be pretty lucky if they can get the door off that way. I've encountered this problem many times, and only once been able to get the door off on the hinge side, because most hinges overlap the door too much. But without even a simple description of the type of lock body from the OP, it's useless speculating. Is it a wooden or aluminium door and frame? Is it a handle with a very short backset (typically found in aluminium and glass doors)? Is it just a single handle and latch, or does it also have a lock incorporated in the mortice assembly? If OP at least did a google image search to direct us to the type of latch, we might be able to help, especially as some types have commonly known issues. I've had to carefully cut some latches with a grinder and cutoff disc to get a door open, while some need to be drilled in a particular spot so you can manually retract the latch with a screwdriver, etc.
androth2,
Aug 19, 2:50pm
When my door lock inside part broke and jammed, I used a flat paint scraper to slide in and push the part back so the door would open
bill1451,
Aug 20, 7:39pm
the square casting that the square shaft fits into may have just disintergrated in which case you can try turning it to no avail, as 13 says a flat blade will push the tongue back
sumstyle,
Aug 21, 10:34am
You can buy replacement springs from Mitre 10 by the way - very fast way to fix the door.
matarautrader,
Oct 4, 12:02pm
Sounds like the door has warped and theres a lot of pressure against the tongue. Try pushing against the door whilst turning handle. Perhaps door has dropped and by levering under door it may loosen
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