Latch doesn’t retract fully when thumb latch is depressed
#1
09-25-19, 02:17 PM
Member
Thread Starter
Latch doesn’t retract fully when thumb latch is depressed
Are there maintenance or adjustment procedures so the latch retracts fully? Makes it difficult to open the door.
#2
09-25-19, 02:22 PM
Group Moderator
Aside from disassembly and lubrication, it's possible the latch is getting worn. You should be able to tell if it is worn when you take it apart. Replacement latches are readily available if you need one.
#4
09-25-19, 03:54 PM
You need to remove the screw holding the lower part of the handle on to the door, then you can remove the handle. (The screw may have a decorative cover on the head). Then you can remove the 2 screws on the door's edge to remove the latch. Once removed, you can determine whether the lack of travel is due to the latch itself or the thumb-press assembly. I suspect the latter, as most wear happens in the gear assembly where the vertical thumb-press lever is translated to a rotary motion of the latch actuating spindle. That assembly should be well-greased, including where the spindle rotates inside the latch sleeve.
#5
09-25-19, 05:16 PM
Group Moderator
Kind of looks like a Kwikset. It will say on the latch. They are usually pretty low end residential so if it is the lever, and you cant get them to warranty it, and need to buy another... choose a better brand.
The lock still work fine except the chip.
Now a few years ago I had the same lock (on another door) where the inside knob "button" just "spins" freely. At the time I called Schlage and they sent me a free replacement which I installed and I did not throw away the bad lock.
So now I am wondering, can I take the interior side of the bad lock, remove only the knob (the silver sphere) and exchange it with the one I have which has a chip? I can't figure out how to remove the knob. There are two recessed slots but pushing in with a flat head screwdriver does seem to free it. Is there a trick? Or do I need to replace the whole inside half which means I can't do it because the inside button on the old lock is bad.