Benjamin Rush

Lock broke on storm door, how to remove?

I've never removed a storm door before, particularly one where the knob to the lock broke off and so it won't open.

I've removed the screws on the side opposite the jam, but when I try to pry the door out, it won't budge. I'm not sure if I'm dealing with paint that has somehow "glued" the door to the frame or what. The house was built in '94 and I'm sure this door is the original.

My thought behind this is that if I'm going to have any chance at replacing the lock (instead of the whole door), I need to get the lock out, and with the door closed (and the lock engaged) that might be impossible. I can't figure out how to unlock the door from the insides of the mechanism either.

So I'm open to either option: 1) remove the door, or 2) figure out how to unlock the door despite the knob being broken (btw, it's broken because it wouldn't budge and my wife tried very hard to turn it, and it broke ... so it was stuck to begin with).

Here are some photos:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gM...bghhEgysKa5dA_

https://drive.google.com/open?id=11g...X4dDmL7aRCNcbW

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UJ...eglaFLdPt9xKnx

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1iP...jSQgELYfx409Fn

XSleeper

Unscrew the latch side z-bar and pull the door open. Use a pry bar behind the z-bar if needed. There may be some short screws through the strike plate holding it tight.

Or pull the handle assembly off and use a flat screwdriver to turn the square drive part of the mortise latch.

2john02458

I've removed the screws on the side opposite the jam, but when I try to pry the door out, it won't budge.

The hinges are attached to an angle that is probably screwed into the frame on the inside (where the door hits) as well as on the front.

You should be able to dismantle the lock enough to get the door open. Is the picture of the lock from the inside or outside? It would help to see the other side, too.

Benjamin Rush

The picture I sent was of the inside portion of the lock. Here is the outside portion.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qW...ZF1Wqa4DDew09O

Looks like the consensus is to try getting the lock unstuck. I'll see if I can fiddle with it some more.

Benjamin Rush

...okay, so removing the latch-side z-bar was the trick. Thanks for your help guys.

Given the state of the lock, does it look like it's best to just go get a new storm door, or is this something I can remove and replace?

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Iv...ADQsNeHbgtbJA_

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DV...jSZNk3aeh8sXI_

XSleeper

Glad you got it. Replacement mortise lock sets and handles are available at most any box store. They range in price from $25-50. Be sure you are getting an exact replacement though. Take your old one to the store so you can compare.

You might also be able to find a sticker on the door edge, hinge side that tells what brand and model door you have.