Residential & Commercial Security - Locks, Keys & Dead Bolts - deadbolt extremely hard to trun

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hanton
10-30-03, 09:30 AM
Our deadbolt lock is extremely hard to open. With the door open the key and deadbolt move freely but with the door closed it is very hard to turn the key. We need to pull the door and turn the key at the same time in order to unlock the door

Any suggestions on how I can fix this.

Thanks

schiejr
10-30-03, 12:32 PM
The first thing to do is check the tightness of the hinge screws. A sagging door can cause a problem like this.

If the door/hinges are ok then you may have to file the strike a little to allow more clearance for the bolt. Often there will be scrape marks on the bolt or strike where it is rubbing. Never file the bolt-only the strike that is screwed to the frame.
WGW
11-14-03, 07:45 PM
Originally posted by schiejr
you may have to file the strike a little to allow more clearance for the bolt. Often there will be scrape marks on the bolt or strike where it is rubbing. Never file the bolt-only the strike that is screwed to the frame.

An easy method of telling where you need to file the keeper, is to cover the bolt with an ink marker and run the lock through the cycle a couple of times.
Open the door and extend the bolt to see where the marker has scraped off, then start filing (the keeper).