Lock broke on storm door, how to remove?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
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
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
#2
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.
Or pull the handle assembly off and use a flat screwdriver to turn the square drive part of the mortise latch.
#3
Member
I've removed the screws on the side opposite the jam, but when I try to pry the door out, it won't budge.
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.
Last edited by 2john02458; 12-16-17 at 10:20 AM. Reason: typos
#4
Member
Thread Starter
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.
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.
#5
Member
Thread Starter
...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_
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_
#6
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.
You might also be able to find a sticker on the door edge, hinge side that tells what brand and model door you have.