Locking hell!

[TheFew]

How do!

I have a bit of a door based problem..

I have a fairly standard composite door, with the usual multipoint locking system. Recently the door has become a bugger to open. Pushing the handle down to get the locking mechanism to open takes some force.

This issue occurs when the door is open (so not a snagging in the frame issue) and also occurs when the lock barrel is removed.

So not sure what to do with it...

Is it likely to be a simple issue?

Or will I need a new locking mechanism?

Or the multipoint locks fairly standard door to door? I.e. buy the correct size and just screw it in... or do I need to get a lock Smith out?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[TheFew]

I don't know if this will help, but during winter some of my window handles became very stiff to turn. A few generous squirts of WD40 at the sides, where the rods come out, made the mechanism feel as good as new. I was quite surprised how much of a difference it made and the handles still feel just as good now.

Thanks. Will go this a go as a first solution.

 

[TheFew]

How old is the door ?
Can you remove the locking mech and see if it is branded ?

I recently had a gearbox basically disintegrate and had to replace the entire locking mech, even though it was an oddball gearbox with a non standard size it only cost about £120, and the fittings was very straight forward, easily diy'able

The lock is a Yale YS170 12 so guess I could just buy the same again. Is it just a case of plopping that in Google and pressing purchase, or are they some subtleties to consider, e.g. different sizes?

 

[TheFew]

suspect it is the gearbox - especially if it occurs when door is open, such that it not misalignment causing the bolts to be tight to extend/withdraw into frame
we have some unreliability on ours for unlocking and locking, so I had specified one of these, there are few hutube videos on how to change them.

Yale Lockmaster Sprung Multipoint Door Lock Gearbox - 45mm Backset - 92mm c/c | IronmongeryDirect | Same Day Despatch

Yale Lockmaster Sprung Multipoint Door Lock Gearbox - 45mm Backset - 92mm c/c available at great trade prices with easy and free returns. Order Multipoint Door Locks before 8pm for same day despatch.

www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk

Thanks.

If I replace the mechanism, how do I know what size to buy, without disassembling to door first?

 

[TheFew]

Make sure you squirt the WD40 right inside, not on the actual rods sticking out of the door itself. As you squirt a bit of WD40 in, keep trying the door to see if it feels any better. If this works and you think the lock feels good, put another squirt in to be sure - better to have plenty than not enough.

Will do. Will have to go by some first!

 

[TheFew]

OK. Found a useful video.. so think I need a 35mm backset yale!

 

[TheFew]

Would anyone happy to know that the "12" in the Yale YS170 12 refers too?

 

[TheFew]

I have some PTFE spray lubricant in the garage which I used when our door was doing something similar. Instant improvement. Little sprays in all the locking points sorted ours out and it works spot on now.

Ordered some from screwfix. Worth a punt at £7 when a new lock is around £90.

 

[TheFew]

Don’t use WD40. It’s for freeing up seized threads, it’s not a lubricant. It just makes everything sticky. Use GT85. Its what the National Locksmith School and Guild of Master Locksmiths recommend. And it’s cheap as chips.

On amazon it's cheaper than chips!

 

[TheFew]

Thanks for all the advice chaps. I took the handle and lock off and gave the mushroom, hooks and gearbox as much of a spray with the ptfe as I could without removing more from the door. Glad to say it works as smooth as anything now. Nice and easy operation.

Only downside is I managed to spray PTFE lubricant all over my wall... luckily the hall is stripped down ready to paint. So hopefully a light sanding will sort that.

Thanks again!