Interior door handle replacement

[kingrollo]

One of my interior doors jammed shut. I managed to get it open again.

I have dismantled the handle and locking mechanism. Give it a good lube and it seemed to be moving freely. But then seized up again as I put it back in the door

I'm not great with DIY - could I just swap out the internal mechanism? - how would I know what parts are compatible

 

[Sharky]

Those mech are dirt cheap. Take it to a DIY place and match it for size.

 

[kingrollo]

Those mech are dirt cheap. Take it to a DIY place and match it for size.

Price isn't the issue. Getting the right size replacement is what I'm struggling with .

How are these things measured?

 

[Sharky]

It should be from the fixing plate to the centre of shaft hole.

Old ones could be in inches, current ones metric.
Various, 3", 45mm etc

Best to take it to a DIY store and compare.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Good supplier of all things doorlatchy - very helpful people IME

https://www.suffolklatchcompany.com/

 

[MichaelW2]

The standard measure is depth of the square hole and the whole latch. There are usually 3 sizes.
Try to get a replacement of the same brand, with the faceplate the same size and screw hole location.

 

[presta]

The distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the spindle is the dimension of interest, and if you're looking online, the name for it is the backset. The size of the bezel is nominally standard, but they vary a bit from catch to catch, so you might have to pare the edges of the rebate a little to get it to seat flush. The same goes for the diameter and length of the body.

The main problem these days seems to be finding one that's not crappy quality, particularly if your trying to match an odd or obsolescent size. Most of my catches are ones that were fitted in the 1960s, and still there because they were such good quality, but the roller catch I replaced in my dining room door 2-3 years ago is absolute rubbish. I'd chuck it out and put another one in if I thought there was a cat in hell's chance of finding anything better.

When you're fitting it, it's important that the backset matches exactly, otherwise the handle will tend to bind and stop the spindle rotating freely. If you need to move it a little, you can plug the handle fixing screw holes with matchsticks, and reposition the them. Another potential problem is that the face of the bolt won't be in exactly the same position, in which case your options are matchsticks in the fixing holes for either the latch or the striker plate, or filing a bit off the edge of the bolt hole in the striker plate.

 

[fossyant]

Easy enough to replace - but like has been said, sometimes you end up with the wrong size. I've also found not all my doors are the same fitting size despite all being installed at the same time when the house was built. I usually take the broken one with my to the DIY store.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

The distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the spindle is the dimension of interest, and if you're looking online, the name for it is the backset. The size of the bezel is nominally standard, but they vary a bit from catch to catch, so you might have to pare the edges of the rebate a little to get it to seat flush. The same goes for the diameter and length of the body.

The main problem these days seems to be finding one that's not crappy quality, particularly if your trying to match an odd or obsolescent size. Most of my catches are ones that were fitted in the 1960s, and still there because they were such good quality, but the roller catch I replaced in my dining room door 2-3 years ago is absolute rubbish. I'd chuck it out and put another one in if I thought there was a cat in hell's chance of finding anything better.

When you're fitting it, it's important that the backset matches exactly, otherwise the handle will tend to bind and stop the sindle rotating freely. If you need to move it a little, you can plug the handle fixing screw holes with matchsticks, and reposition the them.

Agree - we found that the little sintered piece of metal to take the spindle was just disintegrating on our handlesets, so as that happens I now replace the whole lot with quality bolt-through handles I sourced from the company I linked above. Sounds daft, but they're lovely to use.

 

[kingrollo]

Thanks guys.

All sorted - took the part up to screw fix. A very helpful guy measured and then got me a replacement part for £2. Screwed it all in - works like a charm now.

Ok - there was a bit of swearing involved as well.