How to remove the handle from an iron entrance door?

A broken door handle is a common problem that you can solve yourself without calling a technician. Therefore, many are interested in how to remove a door handle installed on the front door. There are several ways to dismantle and install a new product. But first you need to find out the reason why the door hardware failed.

Removing the door handle correctly

The need to disassemble the door handle arises for several reasons.
These include breakdowns, the presence of abrasions, the desire to change an element, and renovations that involve dramatic changes in the interior of the apartment. To understand how to remove a door handle, you must first decide on its type. Before disassembling, find out what type of fittings are. It is divided into 3 categories: knobs (round), stationary and push. The latter are used everywhere. If you press the handle, the latch goes inward. Without pressure, the element is extended.

The mechanism is installed with mortise locks. On the outer part there are linings that protect the handle from damage. Removing accessories requires care. You need to know the location of the latch.

Round models are installed in rooms that can be locked from the inside (more often found in the bathroom). Made in the shape of a ball. The castle is located in the middle.

Important! The keyhole can only be opened with a key on one side. On the other there is a latch.

Stationary ones are held on the door leaf with self-tapping screws or self-tapping screws. They have roller latches. The fittings are made of strips with brackets.

Dismantling: possible reasons

Dismantling may be necessary for various reasons. The most common reasons are modernization or repair. In this case, the door leaf is removed from the frame. To do this, you need to remove the structure from its hinges.

Causes

Most often, such actions are taken for several reasons. These include:

Hacking attempt;
purchasing a new front door;
problems with opening or closing the door;
major renovations requiring freeing up space;
need for maintenance: as a rule, this is lubrication of elements;
replacement of one or more parts: lock, hinges or other fittings;
the need for additional insulation, or replacement of old material that has become unusable.

Often the culprit for dismantling is a large object that refuses to fit through the opening. For example, large furniture or the same household appliance. In these cases, there is nothing left to do but disassemble the front door. However, sometimes (for example, to replace a lock) you can do without this operation. It all depends on the design features.

The appearance of problems with opening/closing, distortion may indicate that the door hinges are to blame for the unpleasant situation. Often the problem is caused not by their weakening, but by the shrinkage of the building. If this happens, then there are two options - replacing the door or correcting the situation yourself.

Dismantling the door leaf is not as simple as it might seem to a master who is faced with such work for the first time. If the operation is carried out incorrectly, you may be left without a door at all, since it is quite easy to damage not only the door leaf, but also the opening. If they then plan to send the door to “exile” to the dacha, or decide to install it in place, then the structure must be dismantled very carefully. In other cases, you need to be more concerned about damage to the wall or opening.

Weak points of metal doors

Metal is durable, however, such structures often require repair. If we talk about the main types of breakdowns, there are several of them.

Door leaf. This is the most common element for self-repair. There may be two problems. One of them is loss of appearance, the other is the need to replace or add insulation. The worst option is hacking, which means a violation of integrity. Locks

There are not too many devices designed for entrance structures, so it is important for the owner to determine its type and then evaluate the possibility of self-repair. In some cases, it is better to invite a specialist. Door frame

Most often this is an all-welded element, so there is absolutely nothing to break there. But incorrect installation, causing distortion, is still possible. Platbands. Mechanical failures are also common to external cladding, but in this case, repairs do not promise to be too difficult.

Any problem is a good reason to check the operation of the entire structure. Diagnostics and timely prevention are the only chance to prevent serious problems. This is much easier than wondering later how to disassemble the front door, which suddenly stopped fulfilling its direct duties.

Push

It is found in door panels located at the entrance to the room. A common cause of unusability is a broken door hinge. If you have such a problem, you need to know how to remove the door handle of an interior door.

If the fittings malfunction, unscrew the screws that hold the bar in place. Use pliers to pull the rod out by the protruding edge.
If the fittings cannot be removed, find a screw or pin. Press it and at the same time pull the handle towards you.

The new element is installed in the same way, only in reverse order.

Push button in the entrance doors

Such fittings have low reliability and a short service life. A lock is most often installed in the door leaf. If the latch is working properly, there is no need to change it.

The algorithm of actions is the same as when dismantling the hardware in the entrance doors. Unscrew the screw located in the canvas. Remove the pen. There is a connector in the bar. Carefully place the knife in the slot and lift up. Do not damage the bar; it is easily deformed. There are four screws under the bar. Unscrew them and remove the lock.

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How to remove a door handle

The knob differs from the previous handle in the elements with which it is attached to the blade. There is no pin in the round one. It has a spring lock. A key is supplied with the door leaf. If you don't have a key, use a nail or other thin object. Press the spring element with the key.

When there is no access to the clamp, remove the flange. Pry it open with a knife. Then turn it 180 degrees. The spring element falls into the hole. At this time a characteristic sound will be heard. Press the locking element and pull it towards you. When you remove the flange you will see decorative screws.

How to remove a door handle with a magnetic lock

The mechanism is installed in the door leaf, is silent, and has a long service life.

Attention! The push model is most often used in bedrooms and children's rooms.

Due to careless or prolonged use under the influence of a magnet, the latch becomes jammed or warped. To remove the fittings, do the following:

At the bottom of the bar, find the hex socket. Unscrew the base with a tool and leave it hanging.
There is a second hole in the moving part. Unscrew and remove the fittings.
Access to the rod axis will open. Repeat the steps on the other side of the door.
Unscrew the bolts from the main mount. Remove the handle.
Unscrew the lock from the end of the door leaf with a screwdriver. Take it off.

So, to remove the handle of an interior door, you first need to determine its type and prepare the necessary tools. Follow the instructions carefully. With due diligence, disassembling the handle will not be difficult.

Detailed description and disassembly guide

It doesn't take much time to learn how to disassemble a door handle. This simple procedure can be done independently. The specifics of the process depend on the type of structure.

Stationary handles

They are strips of various configurations: round, square, in the form of figures or staples. They are united by simple fastening to the door leaf using screws.

Fixed handles are sometimes mounted on both sides of the door on a single rod. This can be easily checked by fixing the fittings on one side and turning the second piece on the other. The handle on the reverse side should turn.

The process of disassembling stationary handles is the simplest

To know how to disassemble a door handle mounted on self-tapping screws, no special knowledge is required. All you need is:

Using a screwdriver, unscrew the screws from the very base of the handle or from the bar on which it is held (depending on the type of fittings).
Carefully remove the handle.

If the handle is mounted on a single axial rod:

Carefully unscrew the piece of hardware on one side of the door.
Then remove the structure from the reverse side.

Round door handle with rosette

The main feature of such handles is a rotating decorative element and the absence of holes for a screwdriver or key. You need to dismantle such a round handle, starting with removing the top element of the decoration.

The upper part of the handle is equipped with a decorative element

The parsing process is quite simple:

Decorative elements need to be separated. To do this, you need to hold the base of the handle.
Rotate the top and carefully remove the socket from the thread.
Now you can see the opened elements of the mechanism inside the handle and begin to remove them.

Many models have a button that you can press to remove the fittings.

Often such door mechanisms are mounted on a regular common rod, which can be easily removed, and the handle can be removed.

Lever handle

A common model, it is easy to install and easy to use. Suitable for all types of doors from internal to external. Contains two fittings that are fixed on a single axial rod. It is accompanied by a mechanical lock with a tongue that latches when the door is closed. Pressing the door opening handle activates the lock mechanism.

Simple parsing procedure

It’s not difficult to figure out how to remove the handle from the door:

Unscrew the screws holding the cover with a screwdriver. Remove the cover part.
A standard tetrahedral axle element will open. In some configurations, the axle is connected to the hardware by a rod that is easily removed.
Unscrew the remaining part of the handle.
Remove the trim from the second fragment on the back side of the door.
Carefully remove the second fragment.

Knob handle

Knob handle is a common type of hardware, installed on interior doors and is a round lever with a lock in the center. Such mechanisms are installed on interior doors or in bathrooms. The main feature is the movable part of the spherical shape. It consists of two mirrored elements, one of which is opened with a key, the second has a locking button.

Related article: How to adjust a door closer

The decorative flange is removed by prying the groove

The parsing process looks like this:

The first thing to do is pry up the edge of the trim that surrounds the door handle with a flat-head screwdriver.
Use a key or any thin object to press the opened stopper. At the same time, pull the handle slightly, then carefully pull it out and leave it dangling.
In the empty connector that appears, in place of the handle, unscrew several opened screws, after which you can remove both parts of the fittings.
Now you can unscrew the screws that hold the door lock in place. The door handle has been completely removed.

Analysis of round fittings

Lever handle with magnetic lock

A simple magnetic lock is called passive, consists of mechanical elements and is used in interior doors. The design is completely recessed into the canvas and is silent in use. This lock is perfect for bedrooms and children's rooms.

The mechanism is reliable and durable, but sooner or later it can fail and require dismantling. The force of the magnet may cause the latch to become jammed or distorted due to time or prolonged rough use.

Type of magnetic lock

The process is not much different from disassembling a regular door handle:

The bar around the movable part of the handle is fixed. In its lower part there is a small hexagon connector, with which the base should be unscrewed and left to sag.
In the moving part of the handle there is usually a second connector with a small thread. Using a hexagon, unscrew the handle and remove it.
A single rod axis will open, to which the second part of the hardware is attached on the back side of the door. Repeat the same manipulations with the second door handle.
The main mount is held on by bolts that must be removed. After which the fittings can be easily removed.
After removing the handles, the magnetic lock is easily unscrewed from the end of the door with a screwdriver and removed.

A magnetic pen may look a little unusual. In this case, you need to follow the same principle: find the screws and unscrew them.

A handle with a magnetic lock may look unusual

The dismantling process (using the example of a push handle) can be seen more clearly in the video.

The process of replacing handles for front doors

An important part of any door design is the handle. We use it every day to open and then close the door. Constant mechanical stress and pressure on this element of the door structure can lead to failure over time. By the way, door handles fail more often than locks. And if this happens, it is necessary to replace it.

The latch does not work, the tongue sticks out

When the latch does not want to engage when opening the sash, the problem may be in the square. In this case, its length is not enough for it to move quickly enough to push the latch.

You will have to change this element:

At a hardware store you need to purchase a square for the locking system of sufficient size.
If it turns out to be too long, then a grinder will help to shorten it.
Next, you need to unscrew one of the handles installed on the door and remove the structure.
The square is available for replacement, after which you need to put the handle in its original place and screw it on.

Common causes of breakdown

Typically, only two types of handles are used for the front door. There are push products that serve to control the latch in the lock, and there are stationary handles whose task is to assist in opening the door.

The situation is easiest with stationary handles, since all types of breakdowns usually come down to ordinary mechanical damage. It is no longer possible to repair such handles; the problem can be solved by replacing them with a new one. Repairs are not carried out, since stationary handles are mainly produced as a single piece.

But push handles can cause a little more trouble. And first you need to determine the type of damage, and only then make repairs. Let's look at the main types of breakdowns.

The handle fell off, but the part that secures it to the door remained in place. This problem can be easily solved in about 15-20 minutes. Typically, such a breakdown indicates poor quality of the product.

The square inside the handle may burst, causing the latch to stop opening. This can happen if the manufacturer used silumin in production. This material is quite fragile and breaks under constant heavy loads.

The latch does not react and does not move, that is, it does not open due to the sinking or wear of the outer square, which performs the connecting function of two handles on both sides and ensures rotation of the latch. The square itself rarely wears out, so this type of failure is classified as isolated cases.

Basically, the latch stops responding and does not open when the length of the square is obviously not enough, that is, this is a defect during installation and negligence shown during installation. The square in this case will move towards the handle over time, and the other handle, which is left without it, will no longer open the latch. It is not difficult to determine this type of breakdown: on one side of the door the handle will work, but on the other it will not.

Often the swing support arm becomes loose. That is, the handle begins to sag, thereby negatively affecting the appearance of the door as a whole. The reason for the lever to become loose is the stretched return spring, which over time simply cannot fully perform its direct functions. This type of problem can also occur due to the edges of the inner square that holds the handle being "licked off". A short rod may also cause problems as the entire assembly will not function completely correctly.

Replacing the handle for the front door may be necessary if the base of the product falls away from its leaf. This can happen due to poor quality or incorrect fastening of the panel with self-tapping screws rather than bolts. This, in turn, leads to the holes breaking and the threads being completely or partially worn out. By the way, if the rebate is too tight, the handle can also fall off. Constant overload of the assembly fasteners when closing the sash can also lead to failure.

Sometimes a door handle needs to be replaced due to the appearance of unsightly abrasions that spoil the aesthetic appearance. The appearance of the door must be maintained in commercial establishments, for example, so that potential clients do not spoil their opinion of the company.

Troubleshooting

Having the necessary tools, almost all repair work can be done independently. Actions are carried out after carefully examining the damage and determining the type of problem.

Handle jamming

Metal parts wear out with constant use. Where regular friction occurs, grooves are formed. Over time, they can cling to other parts of the lock and interfere with movement. Sticking and, in some cases, even resistance to movement occurs. Often this problem can only be solved by completely replacing the mechanism.

And as a preventative measure, repairing a handle comes down to simply lubricating an iron door. In particular the elements of her castle. A little lubricant is dripped onto all moving parts including the bolt. Then you need to twist the mechanism parts in all directions so that the lubricant gets to all the necessary parts. Such a simple operation will extend the life and performance of any locking mechanism and its external parts, including the handle, for many years.

If the handle falls off

In this case, the circlip is to blame. Its deformation or displacement will weaken the grip of the handle on the guide. The ring may burst. To fix the problem, you need to get to the desired node. To do this, remove the decorative parts. You may have to unscrew hidden screws.

Having freed the node, they study the problem. If the ring comes out of its grooves, then it is installed in place. If it becomes warped or split into pieces, a new ring must be found. After repairing the unit, it is necessary to mount all parts in the reverse order.

The tetrahedron is broken

Sometimes the inner square is made of silumin. If the purchased product is inexpensive, then so be it. The use of low-quality brittle material in the swivel assembly will lead to the fact that it will quickly break if used frequently.

To fix the problem, buy a new tetrahedron, preferably steel. The locking mechanism is partially disassembled. The outer covers are removed and the handles are disconnected. The debris of the old square is removed and a new one is installed. All parts are secured in reverse order.

The tongue stopped moving

Usually the same tetrahedron is to blame. However, in this case it did not break, but was simply a little short. During installation, it was installed exactly in the middle. Then, during operation, it gradually shifted to one side and stopped clinging to the lever with one edge. The latter begins to move “idle”.

To repair a door handle, you need to purchase a new square, which will be longer than the previous one. It is possible to buy a part slightly larger than the thickness of the iron door. The excess can be sawed off. During the work, one of the handles is removed and replaced.

The handle does not return to its original position

When the lever remains lowered, the culprit is a small spring. It’s good if it just fell off and can be put back in place. If it bursts, you may have to replace the entire locking mechanism. The fact is that such a small detail rarely appears on sale.

Door handle made in China

Products from China are characterized by low-quality fittings. It is not uncommon for parts of the lever to break off. If the locking mechanism remains operational, then only the handles on the lock can be changed. To do this, new ones are purchased that match the shape and color of the entire door structure. Then the broken ones are removed, and the purchased ones are installed in their place.

Results

If you correctly determine the cause of the breakdown, then repairing the handle will take place without any problems. You just need to remember that on a metal door such parts can be right or left

This needs to be taken into account when choosing

When repairing it yourself, you must first familiarize yourself with the design of the mechanism by studying the instructions. When all the features are known, the repair can be completed successfully.

Preparation

It is quite possible to correctly replace the handles on a metal entrance door yourself, provided that the following factors are taken into account.

First, you will need to select a new cover with levers, where the bolt holes completely match the previous version. To try it on, you will have to dismantle the old copy, so it will be easier to decide in the store.

The shape of the door handle design may be the same, but the bolts to the product may differ in length. This should also be taken into account when purchasing a new copy. It must be suitable for screeding a certain thickness of the door leaf. If the new fasteners are slightly shorter in length, you will have to use the old ones for installation. The same can be said about the plate that is used to turn the additional bolt, usually located on the inside of the door.

If you have information about the model name and manufacturer of the door handles originally installed, it will be much easier to find a new one.

When choosing a new handle, you also need to remember that they come in both right and left. It will not be possible to fix this later; you will have to return to the store and change the product.

If the lock is equipped with an additional latch, then the handle lining must have a special slot with a switch for it.

Color and design are important selection factors. The door and handle must be in harmony.

These simple tips will help you make the right choice, which will greatly facilitate the subsequent replacement of the door handle.

Repair of door handles of entrance doors: what breaks in them and how to fix it

The handle plays an important role in the operation of entrance doors, and its breakage causes many problems. In most cases, this is simply an inconvenient opening of the door leaf, but it also happens that a broken handle prevents the door from opening at all - it all depends on the design of the lock itself. In this article, together with the site dveridoma.net, we will deal with such an issue as repairing door handles of entrance doors. We will look at the most common types of breakdowns and analyze the most acceptable options for eliminating them.

What are the mistakes?

The main mistakes are often associated with putting repaired entrance doors back into place:

Tight fit of locks. When reinstalling the mechanism, you need to make sure that the crossbars have a small gap. Otherwise, if the door settles during operation, the locking mechanism may stop opening or closing normally.
Distortions of the canvas. If, when opening the door, it touches the floor, it means that the installation was carried out in violation of the technology. It will have to be removed again and then installed back, following the installation rules.
Loose closure. The first possible cause is the installation of a new seal on the door or door handle. This defect will be eliminated on its own during operation, when the seal becomes less elastic. If the problem is that the locking tongue is in the wrong position, it needs to be adjusted, then the sash will close tightly enough again.
The appearance of a squeak. After disassembling and reinstalling the canvas, the appearance of a squeak may indicate loose hinges or sagging of the canvas. To eliminate the defect, it is recommended to lubricate and tighten the door hinges.

The main function of the front door is to protect the home from the entry of strangers, cold air and noise from the outside.

To extend its service life, it is important to carry out preventive maintenance and repairs in a timely manner. The skills to independently disassemble a door structure will help you keep it in working order for as long as possible

Repairing front door handles: what usually breaks

First, let's understand one simple thing - almost all entrance doors are equipped with two types of handles. These are either push handles, which also serve to control the lock latch, or stationary ones, whose task is only to assist a person in opening doors.

With the latter, things are quite simple, and the essence of their breakdown comes down solely to mechanical damage - such handles, as a rule, are not repaired, but simply replaced with new ones. There is simply nothing to repair in them, since in most cases they are a single piece.

Another thing is the lever handles; in most cases they are the ones that cause the main trouble. There are not so many options for their breakdowns - only four can be distinguished from the main ones.

When the handle falls off, but its part that provides fastening to the door leaf remains in place. The problem can be solved simply, within 10-15 minutes - in most cases, such an accident indicates that you purchased a low-quality product.
The inner square in the handle breaks and the latch stops opening. This only happens if the manufacturer uses a material called “silumin” to make the door handle, which itself is fragile - it simply bursts under constant loads.
The latch does not open due to wear or sinking of the outer square connecting the handles on both sides and directly turning the latch mechanism. The square wears out extremely rarely; we can say that such cases are isolated. As a rule, the latch stops opening only when this square is obviously short in length - this is a defect of the installer or his careless attitude to the matter. In such situations, the square eventually moves towards one of the handles, and the other handle, abandoned by it, stops opening the latch. Such a breakdown is easily determined - as you already understand, the handle works on one side of the door leaf, but not on the other. Repairing the front door handle with such a breakdown is very simple.
The handle does not return to its original position after pressing it. There is only one reason here and it lies in the spiral spring - it either burst or simply flew out of its place. Although repairing such a malfunction is simple, you will still have to tinker.

There are other types of breakdowns, but they are all interconnected with those described above, so it makes no sense to consider them. Having understood and learned to eliminate the main ones, you can easily cope with the rest.

How to repair a door handle, watch the video.

Design Features

Knowing the structure of the lock, it is easier to determine the cause of the malfunction and how to eliminate it. The door handle is connected to the fastening plate by a movable mechanism. The fittings are connected directly to the latch using a rod that is inserted into the groove. It has a square cross-section, and when you turn the handle, the device is triggered and the tongue moves.

Its return to its original position is ensured by a spring, which is fixed with one end on the fittings and the other on the locking plate. It turns out that the design of the door handle mechanism is such that there is practically nothing to break in it; the circle of “suspects” is limited.

How to properly disassemble a door handle: description of the process

If you have all the necessary tools, disassembling the front door handle is not so difficult - if, of course, you know what to do, then it will take no more than five minutes. This process looks like this:

At the bottom of the handle, closer to the door leaf, there is a small screw with a groove for a hex key. The first thing to do is unscrew it - but not completely, since the screw is small and if it falls out, it can easily get lost.
Next we screw together the decorative trim covering the main fastener of the handle. It is screwed counterclockwise - this is done by hand, without using keys.
By removing the decorative trim (it is removed through the handle), you gain access to the fasteners - as a rule, these are either small self-tapping screws or screw ties. They unscrew almost the same way - take a screwdriver and unscrew the fasteners.
Now we simply remove the handles from the square and, as they say, that’s the end of it - the handle is dismantled.

If we talk about handles for entrance doors, made in the form of one large overlay (such handles are used on Chinese doors), then they are removed a little differently. On the inside of the door (at the top and bottom of the trim) you will see a couple of screws - unscrew them and simply remove the handle along with the wide trim. It should be noted that by unscrewing two screws on one side of the door leaf, you can remove the handle from both sides at the same time.

As you can see, everything is quite simple, and if you perform such an operation once, in the future the question of how to remove the handle from the front door will no longer arise. By the way, having mastered this simple operation, the question of how to replace the front door handle will also automatically be resolved. After removing the old one, a new handle is installed in its place in the reverse order of disassembly. The only nuance that arises here is the selection of a handle of a similar design.

Subtleties of self-installation of different models

If you don’t go into the design features of any specific models, then the installation of most of these devices is similar, but before we cut in this or that handle, let’s figure out where to install it.

A few words about the installation location

If we are talking about a private house or apartment, then where the handle should be installed, you have the right to decide for yourself, the main thing is that it is convenient for you and your household. But when choosing a place, experts recommend focusing on 2 things:

First of all, you need to measure at what height all the other handles in your house are. After all, when one handle falls out of the overall ensemble, it is very noticeable and spoils the interior;
If you choose a place to install all the handles in your home, then you need to focus on your arm bent at 90º at the elbow. Naturally, it is worth taking into account the height of all family members and choosing something in between.

The installation height of the door handle according to GOST is a completely different matter. The documents state that such structures are installed at a height of 1 m, plus or minus 100 mm. This information should be well remembered by office owners and business workers in administrative buildings. Otherwise, the fire inspector will have another reason to find fault.

Entrance door handle

High-quality handles on entrance doors from good manufacturers break extremely rarely; this misunderstanding mainly happens with goods from the friendly Chinese people. Fortunately, it’s easy to find a replacement in the store; the average price of such a kit fluctuates around 500 rubles.

When purchasing a new set of handles, it is advisable to remove the old trim completely and take it with you to the market.

Removing an old handle from a metal door is not difficult. In this case, it is not necessary to completely disassemble the entire mechanism; it is enough to unscrew the 2 mounting bolts that are located on the inside.

So, the handles have been purchased, now all that remains is to insert them. The inner lining has been removed, so there is practically nothing holding the outer lining in place. If you pull the handle a little harder it will come out along with the square pivot pin and connecting pins.

When buying a handle, it is better to choose models with an internal armored lining; they cost more, but the protection against burglary is much higher.

Next, screw 2 connecting pins onto the outer part of the new set of handles. Separate armor plates may be provided on the keyhole; if they fit the holes in the new set, then decide for yourself whether to change them or not.

Now we insert the square rotary pin into the core of the handle and mount the outer trim in its place. Keep in mind – the square pivot pin should almost reach the bottom of the hole on both handles. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the handles will break again.

When everything is inserted and screwed, the gasket is installed last inside the structure. Gaskets can be rubber or plastic, so try to take rubber ones, such as in the photo below.

The outer cover with the pivot pin and studs is inserted first. Then the inner lining is combined with it and all this is fixed with a pair of bolts from the inside.

Handle with latch for interior door

Often, several types of handles can be installed on a lock embedded in an interior door. This is especially true for lightweight latches; any rotary handles generally fit there. The main thing is that the turning mechanism works using a square pin.

The technique of inserting a light latch and a solid lock into an interior door is shown in detail with photos and videos “HERE”, and we will only analyze the installation of the handle.

The handle mechanism is screwed to the doors with self-tapping screws, but so that the fastening washer does not spoil the appearance, it is covered with a decorative overlay, after which the handle is installed.

In round knob handles, both the handle itself and the decorative overlay are secured using a discreet inner tongue. This tongue needs to be pushed down using the special key included in the kit. The tongue itself is equipped with a spring and after removing or installing the handle, it returns to its original position.

In rotary handles, the system is slightly different; after installing the handle, you need to fix it with a small screw on the side, and then screw it on or simply put a decorative cover on the latches (depending on the model).

The screw that secures the rotary handle can be either a Phillips screwdriver or a hexagon. In the latter case, the hexagon must come with the handle.

How to fix the front door handle: main types of breakdowns

So, we have decided on the types of accidents that occur. We also dealt with the question of how to disassemble the front door handle, now it’s time to tackle the issue of how to fix the damage. Let's start in order.

The handle fell off, but its base remained in place. As mentioned above, this is a clear sign that the retaining ring has fallen out or burst. Putting it back is quite simple, but you will have to tinker. The question of how to repair the front door handle in this situation is solved in the following way - first, remove the remaining part of the handle from the door leaf. There should also be a retaining ring there. If it is normal (and this is unlikely), then we simply connect the two parts of the handle and install the locking ring in place, after which we mount the handle itself on the door. Almost always you have to purchase a new retaining ring - if it is bent or even broken, you will have to purchase a new one.
The inner square in the handle broke. Often, manufacturers save money and make the most important part of the door handle from fragile silumin - if it bursts, then there is nothing else left to do but completely change the door handles. We go to the market and, now wise with experience, purchase a high-quality steel handle for entrance doors.
The handle works, but the latch does not open. We already said above that this happens due to the shift of the square - it is simply short. It is for this reason that you will need to remove one of the handles (on either side of the door), remove the short square and put a normal one in its place, and then return everything to its place. The markets sell long squares that are suitable for door leaves of any width - however, you will have to adjust them to the required size yourself. This is not difficult, especially if you have a grinder or at least a hand hacksaw on hand.
The handle does not return to its original position. The reason is that the coil spring has burst or jumped off. It is restored in almost the same way as installing a locking ring - the handle is removed, the spring on it is replaced, which is pressed with a washer, and it, in turn, is fixed with the same locking ring. Everything would be fine if it were possible to purchase this spring on the market. Unfortunately, this is not possible, and repairing such a simple problem in most cases comes down to completely replacing the door handle of the front door.

In general, repairing front door handles is a simple matter and quite accessible to almost every person who knows how to use basic tools. Finally, I’ll tell you a way that will help you figure out what to do. You can understand how to properly repair anything at all only when you study the design of the device and its operating principle. What you need to do first of all with the door handle is to disassemble it and understand what is in its design and what it is intended for.

Recommended Procedure

Repairing the handle of a push-type interior door is no different from restoring the functionality of analogues installed on entrance doors. All technological operations, as well as typical faults, are completely identical. The only difference is in the nuances determined by the type of locking mechanism (mortise or overhead) and its model (manufacturer).

Removing the locking device

On both sides of the sash there are fastening strips connected by long screws. Depending on the lock model, there may be 2 or 4 of them. The latter is typical for handles installed on frame doors. The task is to unscrew the hardware and remove them from the mounting sockets.

All that remains is to remove the locking mechanism. If it has a decorative strip, you will first have to unscrew the small screw that secures the handle. After this (rotating counterclockwise) the cover is removed.

Troubleshooting and repair

One end of the spring flew off its seat. This becomes clear even without disassembling the fittings; with such a defect, after pressing the handle does not return to its original position. It's easy to fix - hook the spring and check the mechanism in operation. But if the part is broken, then it is useless to repair. Firstly, we still need to find it, with the same linear parameters. Secondly, its tensile force must be identical, otherwise the operation of the lock will cause a lot of inconvenience. For example, the tongue will not be completely recessed into the sash, constantly clinging to the bar. In this case, it is advisable to install a new lock.

When purchasing a handle for a metal door, you need to look at the location of the holes in the strip for fasteners. It is unlikely that anyone will be happy with the prospect of drilling a steel sheet if it turns out that the old sockets for fixing the lock are not suitable.

There is no tongue displacement. This mechanism malfunction is caused by several reasons.

Option 1 – the handle itself has become loose. This is mainly typical for samples made of soft metals (alloys). The edges of its groove gradually flare out, and the reliability of the coupling with the rod is lost. There are two ways to solve the problem. The first (temporary, while searching for new fittings) is to seal the gap between the “square” and the groove in the handle. The second is to replace the part. Pens are sold at retail, and you can choose a product of any configuration you like. The main thing is that the landing “socket” is identical in size for reliable docking with the latch mechanism.

Option 2 – pin damage. As a rule, cheap locks have rods made of silumin, but this alloy is no different in strength. It’s easy to buy such a part, cut it to length, file the ends and install it in place.

The handle periodically falls out, but there is no destruction of the metal. The only reason is that the retaining ring is loose or broken. If it bursts, fragments will fall out immediately after dismantling the mechanism. This is the worst scenario - such a lock will have to be changed. If the latch is simply loose, you can try to tighten it. This does not always work out, especially if the steel is of high quality; it springs easily. But there are no other repair options in such a situation. If the result is positive, the lock will still serve for some time.

And one last thing. Do not forget that any mechanism, including the door handle, needs periodic inspection and maintenance. If you partially disassemble the lock in a timely manner, lubricate the rubbing parts, and regularly tighten the fasteners, then there will be no problems with its breakdown for a long time.

It turns out that knowing the locking device and having only a couple of screwdrivers on hand, it is not difficult to understand how to repair the door handle of an interior or entrance door. But if you need to replace some part or the entire mechanism, it is better to take the faulty sample with you when going to the store. You need to purchase an analogue “one to one”, otherwise it is not a fact that it will fit in size, thickness, configuration, and so on.