Sliding Back Door Will No Longer Lock
#1
08-27-09, 11:27 AM
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 4
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Sliding Back Door Will No Longer Lock
I have a back sliding door that, from what you can tell by the title, won't lock anymore.
To describe the door it's just your average back patio door with a lock that's shaped as a hook or question mark.
Everything seems to be working fine but whenever I close the door and try to lock it its as if the lock actually presses against the opposing wall and pushes the door back so the lock will go off with out hooking to the hole.
If you people would like I could take some pictures or record a video of my current situation.
To describe the door it's just your average back patio door with a lock that's shaped as a hook or question mark.
Everything seems to be working fine but whenever I close the door and try to lock it its as if the lock actually presses against the opposing wall and pushes the door back so the lock will go off with out hooking to the hole.
If you people would like I could take some pictures or record a video of my current situation.
#2
08-27-09, 11:36 AM
Super Moderator
You may just need to adjust it. Some have a little screw on the face of the door near the hook for adjustment of the depth of the hook. Cheaper ones you may have to actually move the part that it hooks into with shims.
Also..make sure that it is functioning correctly when the door isn't closed..so you can see the hook moving as its supposed to. Some cheaper ones have a spring that can fail and not allow the hook to move as required. Use your finger to provide a little resistance.
Pictures need to be uploaded to a site like Photobucket or Flicker the linked to by putting the IMG info into your nest post.
Also..make sure that it is functioning correctly when the door isn't closed..so you can see the hook moving as its supposed to. Some cheaper ones have a spring that can fail and not allow the hook to move as required. Use your finger to provide a little resistance.
Pictures need to be uploaded to a site like Photobucket or Flicker the linked to by putting the IMG info into your nest post.
#3
08-27-09, 01:30 PM
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 4
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
#4
08-27-09, 02:00 PM
Super Moderator
Yep...what I said..there is a spring broken inside the latch mechanism. Your name says phoenix..but are you possibly on the east coast?
That looks like an American Craftsman/Silverline door. They will give you a new free latch..if you can provide any documentation. My Home Depot store back in VA had the parts on hand..all you had to do is ask. The part is pretty cheap if you have to pay for it. It can be repaired as well..but no way I can explain it on here.
2 things....hook a wire or something securely into the latch when you remove and install new..otherwise it may fall inside the door. Also..the factory screws are very weak, easy to snap the heads off (and then it falls in the door). Better to find some small oval or flat head screws to use instead. They will work fine.
That looks like an American Craftsman/Silverline door. They will give you a new free latch..if you can provide any documentation. My Home Depot store back in VA had the parts on hand..all you had to do is ask. The part is pretty cheap if you have to pay for it. It can be repaired as well..but no way I can explain it on here.
2 things....hook a wire or something securely into the latch when you remove and install new..otherwise it may fall inside the door. Also..the factory screws are very weak, easy to snap the heads off (and then it falls in the door). Better to find some small oval or flat head screws to use instead. They will work fine.
#5
08-27-09, 02:08 PM
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 4
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Gunguy45
Yep...what I said..there is a spring broken inside the latch mechanism. Your name says phoenix..but are you possibly on the east coast?
That looks like an American Craftsman/Silverline door. They will give you a new free latch..if you can provide any documentation. My Home Depot store back in VA had the parts on hand..all you had to do is ask. The part is pretty cheap if you have to pay for it. It can be repaired as well..but no way I can explain it on here.
2 things....hook a wire or something securely into the latch when you remove and install new..otherwise it may fall inside the door. Also..the factory screws are very weak, easy to snap the heads off (and then it falls in the door). Better to find some small oval or flat head screws to use instead. They will work fine.
That looks like an American Craftsman/Silverline door. They will give you a new free latch..if you can provide any documentation. My Home Depot store back in VA had the parts on hand..all you had to do is ask. The part is pretty cheap if you have to pay for it. It can be repaired as well..but no way I can explain it on here.
2 things....hook a wire or something securely into the latch when you remove and install new..otherwise it may fall inside the door. Also..the factory screws are very weak, easy to snap the heads off (and then it falls in the door). Better to find some small oval or flat head screws to use instead. They will work fine.
Anyway thanks a lot for your post.
So basically:
I should contact either where I brought the door or the company that makes it to give me a free latch. Than I should install the latch but not before having the original latch stick out and being held by a wire so it doesn't fall inside?
Also not to sound stupid but the latch is the hook/question mark like thing right?
#6
08-27-09, 03:13 PM
Super Moderator
You got it...thats the right plan. The place you bought it may have parts..or can get them from their rep.
I've clamped vise grips onto the latch, but wiring it is better.
And yeah, the latch mechanism is what the handle hardware activates and includes the hook.
Any other problems..let us/me know.
I've clamped vise grips onto the latch, but wiring it is better.
And yeah, the latch mechanism is what the handle hardware activates and includes the hook.
Any other problems..let us/me know.
#7
08-28-09, 08:54 AM
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 4
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Gunguy45
You got it...thats the right plan. The place you bought it may have parts..or can get them from their rep.
I've clamped vise grips onto the latch, but wiring it is better.
And yeah, the latch mechanism is what the handle hardware activates and includes the hook.
Any other problems..let us/me know.
I've clamped vise grips onto the latch, but wiring it is better.
And yeah, the latch mechanism is what the handle hardware activates and includes the hook.
Any other problems..let us/me know.
