Any locksmiths or generally useful people in here?

gumbald · 17 May 2009 at 15:44

My mum just went to open our back door and it won't, seems the catch isn't being pulled back when you pull the handle down. It just seems to wobble. It's one of these locks where you pull the handle up to put the top and bottom pins in, pulling the handle up at the moment wobbles the bolt more than pulling it down. Anybody got any ideas how I pull the catch back, or do I need to get a locksmith to dismantle the door?

Can't seem to find a way to remove the lock mechanism from inside the house. I know there's nothing visible on the outside - not that we can get to it anyway, it's through another locked door!

Here's a picture of the lock, can give a broader view if needed...

Von Smallhausen · 17 May 2009 at 15:47

The plate is called an escutcheon {sp} plate with the key barrel below it.

It should come off with a little tease using a screwdriver. Take another photo and post it as you can't really tell what is causing the problem without looking in.

It may be that the handle is out of synch / not meshing with the rotate bar inside.

A.N.Other · 17 May 2009 at 15:48

So are the top and bottom bolts in and the whole mechanism has failed or is it just the central bolt that's the problem?

gumbald · 17 May 2009 at 15:51

It's hard to get a photo of inside, I'll have a go though.

I wasn't being brutal enough with the plate, it's not moved for about 20 years probably. Will see how I get on...

Just the central bolt, nothing to do with the locking mechanism I think.

Here's the front of the lock removed:

The spring behind the handle that spins the square socket seems to work fine, so it seems the bolt has come unattached. Dead end again, any suggestions?

Can you see the the picture, the bolt seems to have popped out too far?

Von Smallhausen · 17 May 2009 at 15:57

A.N.Other said:
So are the top and bottom bolts in and the whole mechanism has failed or is it just the central bolt that's the problem?

It is unlikely that the door locking bolts are at fault ( the ones which lock the door at the frame ) and it is more likely a problem with the bar / central bolt that the handle grips to turn and open / close the door and the bolts that go with it if that makes sense.

gumbald · 17 May 2009 at 16:02

Can't seem to see any other way of dismantling the lock further from here...

Munkyman · 17 May 2009 at 16:05

Unfortuantly you won't be able to. All the screws go through the edge of the door so it has to be open to get any further. The best thing to do would be call out a locksmith, they should have the tools to get it open.

Von Smallhausen · 17 May 2009 at 16:09

The spring behind the handle that spins the square socket seems to work fine, so it seems the bolt has come unattached. Dead end again, any suggestions?

Can you see the the picture, the bolt seems to have popped out too far?

The spring / square socket was what I thought might be the problem. Failing that, I am not sure how to fix it. Sorry dude.

Deffo a job for a Locksmith.

gumbald · 17 May 2009 at 16:11

This was as I suspected, wouldn't be very secure otherwise I suppose.

Just managed to climb through the window in the porch and unlock that, mum can get to everything now, just slightly hindered. Looks like locksmith it is.

Gerschwin · 17 May 2009 at 16:12

If you took the barrel in mole grips or similar and gave it a good whack it would (should) break in two, you could then remove the barrel and get the top and bottom bolts undone. A guy in an ironmongers showed me this and I was amazed how easy it was to do! Best to call a locksmith if your not 100% sure though I guess......

EDIT
Re reading I don't think the barrel is to blame so may not be what your after
If it's open it should be an easy job to replace if you get a new one

gumbald · 17 May 2009 at 16:13

Gerschwin said:
If you took the barrel in mole grips or similar and gave it a good whack it would (should) break in two, you could then remove the barrel and get the top and bottom bolts undone. A guy in an ironmongers showed me this and I was amazed how easy it was to do! Best to call a locksmith if your not 100% sure though I guess......

Top and bottom bolts are undone, the mechanism was working fine otherwise, just seems the central bolt has come free.

EDIT: Thanks OcUK for your help as usual!