Doors and Windows - dead bolt problems
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handy wife
07-04-04, 11:58 AM
we have an entry door with a key one-side, lever inside deadbolt - can't find a manufacturer's name on it. When the bolt is engaged, it isn't held rigid - you can actually push it back with no effort. It goes into the frame, etc., as always, but a little jimmying, and it would open no problem. Is this something I can fix, or do I have to get a whole new lock?
jatco
07-05-04, 02:58 PM
It might be difficult to fix as I doubt parts for the locking mechanism are not readily available.
Depending on the brand, what I think might be the problem is the spring that is attached to the flat shaft that carries the deadbolt itself. On the lock I just replaced, there is a flat 'leaf' spring on the bottom of that shaft that holds the deadbolt extended (when locked) or retracted when open.
Perhaps that leaf spring may have come dislodged (or broke) 'freeing' up the deadbolt so it doesnt stay in place where/when it should.
You could take out the deadbolt and take a look, if it is a goner, you'll need a new lock. If you like your existing handles, you might be able to get a lock with the same off-set as your original one and just replace the mechanism and use your old handles.
Good luck...
Depending on the brand, what I think might be the problem is the spring that is attached to the flat shaft that carries the deadbolt itself. On the lock I just replaced, there is a flat 'leaf' spring on the bottom of that shaft that holds the deadbolt extended (when locked) or retracted when open.
Perhaps that leaf spring may have come dislodged (or broke) 'freeing' up the deadbolt so it doesnt stay in place where/when it should.
You could take out the deadbolt and take a look, if it is a goner, you'll need a new lock. If you like your existing handles, you might be able to get a lock with the same off-set as your original one and just replace the mechanism and use your old handles.
Good luck...
Pendragon
07-10-04, 09:03 PM
Did you try that with the door open?
Most deadbolts have a detent that prevent the bolt from being pushed back in once fully extended, the problem arises when the hole the bolt goes into isn't as deep as the bolt is extented, so the lock never reaches the detent.
If this is not the case with your deadbolt, then it's time to replace it, probably cheaper, faster and easier to just replace it than to try to fix it.
Most deadbolts have a detent that prevent the bolt from being pushed back in once fully extended, the problem arises when the hole the bolt goes into isn't as deep as the bolt is extented, so the lock never reaches the detent.
If this is not the case with your deadbolt, then it's time to replace it, probably cheaper, faster and easier to just replace it than to try to fix it.
lefty
07-10-04, 10:48 PM
What Pendragon said.
If the dead bolt is't fully extended, then it would be pretty easy to "jimmy" it open. Bore the hole in the door jamb deeper to correct that. If that doesn't correct the problem, replace the deadbolt. A new Kwikset will run about $15, a Schlage will go about $20 -- not worth the time and trouble to try fixing the old one. And with your old key, you can probably get it keyed to match all the rest of the locks in the house.
If the dead bolt is't fully extended, then it would be pretty easy to "jimmy" it open. Bore the hole in the door jamb deeper to correct that. If that doesn't correct the problem, replace the deadbolt. A new Kwikset will run about $15, a Schlage will go about $20 -- not worth the time and trouble to try fixing the old one. And with your old key, you can probably get it keyed to match all the rest of the locks in the house.
jatco
07-11-04, 09:59 AM
True, with what lefty and Pendragon has said.
It sounded to me that this was a situation that developed over time, so I presumed the deadbolt's hole was/is deep enough originally.
With the door open and dead bolt extended fully, measure its length then compare that to the depth of the hole in the jam. That way you'll know if the hole is deep enough.
It sounded to me that this was a situation that developed over time, so I presumed the deadbolt's hole was/is deep enough originally.
With the door open and dead bolt extended fully, measure its length then compare that to the depth of the hole in the jam. That way you'll know if the hole is deep enough.