My kwikset door latch is stuck with the door closed. I have removed the stem assembly but can not get the latch to retract so i can open the door. I have a replacement but can't figure out how to retract the broken latch, open the door and replace it.
Does anyone have a solution?

 

Depending on your setup, you may be able to remove the door casing or hinges.

If not, you have to attack the lock or latch-work your to the latch in order to pull or push it back-sometimes in pieces.

 

I have started attacking the mechanism from the inside. It doesn't appear i have the room to saw thru the latch and removing the door seems risky without damage.

 

Kwikset latches have a half moon shaped spindle hole where the mechanism connects through.

I have seen this problem before. Often using a really large blade screwdriver will solve the problem quickly.

You can get some fairly decent leverage on the latch and should be able to destroy the latch without damaging the door.

 

I am in the same situation with a kwikset lock on my front door

I'm trying this method but there is not enough room for me to make the assembly move. Is there anything else that I can try?

 

First remove the inner knob/handle.
Loosen the two screws that are under the cover plate.
Pull out the part that the knob/handle was attached to.
The plunger that is attached to the latch should now be accessible.
Using needle nose pliers or a screwdriver should get the plunger pulled into the release position.

 

...and don't get fixated - often the hinge pins may be tapped out and door removed quite easily.

 

If the door is closed and you have removed the handles. On an inward opening door, you can often thread a thin wire or string between the door and the strike, behind the latch from the inside.

Pull the string slowly and the latch will retract. The handles will not be there to stop it.

If you are on the outside, a piece of plastic (say cut out of a coke bottle) about the size of a postcard, can be slid between the latch and the jamb, to force the latch back.

 

The piece of plastic from a coke bottle as you indicated worked! Thanks. Note to others fit the plastic thru the spacing but start low then bring up to latch area. It will get tight. I used a pair of pliers for extra leverage to pull the plastic up. Nice trick.

 

when all else fails....contact your local locksmith. Many legitimate locksmiths will know these tricks and can save you much heartache!

 

I have done this many of times over the years and the ONLY way is to pull the pins out from the door hinges and have someone on the other side of the door hinges pushing or hitting where the hinges are. You should start from the top of the door working your way down. It's a lot of work. Most of the time the bottom of the door will not have any damage done to it but some doors might. Be careful! After the door is off and you still can't remove the door lock to remove the kwikset latch find a small screwdriver and remove the Round Spindle. Now you will be able to remove the latch.


See link below on how to remove the Round Spindle:
Kwikset : Customer Support : How-To Center : Repair/Troubleshooting
Select:
How to remove the cylinder from a knob when the key is upside down


"gejandsons posted:
First remove the inner knob/handle.
Loosen the two screws that are under the cover plate.
Pull out the part that the knob/handle was attached to.
The plunger that is attached to the latch should now be accessible.
Using needle nose pliers or a screwdriver should get the plunger pulled into the release position."

:bad poster:

This type of information is VERY WRONG!
Remember the latch is "FROZEN"!
You can't move a frozen latch.