In this article we will deal with the topic of how to disassemble a door handle. Let us first consider the classification of this door accessory, outline the technical and design features of each model, and then proceed directly to the process of disassembling and repairing it.
How to remove a door handle Source www.eat-to-live.ru
Classification of door handles
There are several criteria for separating handles, which are based not only on the design features of the device, but also on the principle of operation. So, the first group is the differences in the installation method. There are two positions here:
- mortise models;
- invoices.
It is clear that the first one cuts into the door leaf, for which a hole must be made in the latter. The second is simply attached to the door using self-tapping screws or self-tapping screws.
The second group is the purpose of the door accessory. There are also two positions here: entrance and interior. That is, the first are installed on the entrance doors, the second on the interior doors.
The third group also defines two positions that differ from each other in their functionality or, more precisely, in their operating principle. There are also two subgroups: rotary and stationary. The former have their own additional division, a kind of subgroup, which again has two positions:
- push-type handles;
- rotary
Push and turn handle Source interyerum.ru
It is clear that when the question is raised of how to disassemble the door handle of an interior door or entrance door, it is necessary to take into account the design features of the device. And they correspond to the type of products offered, the classification of which is indicated above.
Therefore, to make it clear what design features we are talking about, we list them, referring to some models of door handles.
Design features of door handles
Let's start with stationary ones. They are produced without any additional elements. That is, there are no latches or locks in their design. This is the simplest option. They are simply applied to the door leaf and secured through the mounting holes with self-tapping screws.
Such handles have only two purposes: moving the door and filling it decoratively. Therefore, manufacturers today offer a huge range of them in terms of sizes, shapes, and colors. They can be one- or two-sided. The latter are connected to each other by the so-called axial element. As for the doors on which they are installed, these are interior or balcony doors. Stationary handles are rarely mounted on entrances.
Stationary door handle Source v-dver.ru
Now about push models. Purely structurally, these are two L-shaped levers. They are connected to each other by a steel rod passing through the door leaf. The design of the product contains a tongue that locks the door by entering the hole in the door frame located opposite the end of the leaf. Such handles are used on both entrance doors and interior doors. Push-type models have a large number of advantages, where we would like to highlight a long service life and high reliability.
The next type is rotary. More often, manufacturers make such pens either in the form of a ball or in the form of a button. The diameter of the device is 50-60 mm. There is a keyhole in the center. It can be located on each handle or only on one, that is, on a certain side. The model received its name only because the door can only be opened by turning the handle around its axis. Manufacturers often equip this rotary accessory with a lock. Such models are usually installed in toilets and bathrooms. Let us add for information that such handles are called “knobs”.
Rotary handle for a door with a lock Source cdn1.ozone.ru
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Unfortunately, it should be noted that rotary knobs have low strength and service life. The reason is a large number of rotating parts that wear out quickly.
I would like to separately list the components of the rotary and pressure devices, so that in the future it will be easier to understand how to disassemble the handle of an interior door. The pen contains:
- latch;
- socket, also known as a bar;
- square pin;
- a decorative flange that covers the mounting points;
- a spring with which the handle returns to its original position;
- a limiter that limits the movement of the handle when it is pressed;
- retaining ring;
- fasteners.
The devices are additionally equipped with a key, which is used to press and remove the mechanism, as well as keys used to remove and install the handle on the interior door.
Rotary handle elements Source www.doorstore.co.uk
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Possible breakdowns
Let's find out what problems, defects and breakdowns that require repair may occur with this mechanism.
- The lock is stuck . In this case, the lock either stops functioning completely, or makes it extremely difficult: it does not close or open the first time and only after exerting effort.
- The latch is jammed . In this case, the mechanism periodically or permanently refuses to work. Sometimes you can observe such a defect as a loose handle. And its loose state logically leads to the loosening of the entire locking mechanism.
- Sometimes the handle, after pressing it, cannot return back to its original position.
- The latch tab may become stuck. In this case, it stops responding to pressure, does not work, and does not move.
It may also be useful and interesting for you to learn more about how to install an electronic combination lock on your front door.
Any of the above breakdowns is quite common and can occur at any time. But more often it still happens after a fairly significant period of operation of the mechanism has passed. You can, of course, call a technician to fix the defect, but if a man lives in the house, he can easily fix the problem himself: no special knowledge or skills are required.
How to properly remove the handle
So, let's move directly to the main topic of our article. But before that, I would like to point out that it is not always necessary to remove a door accessory in order to bring it into proper technical condition. Sometimes the handle just gets loose and needs to be fixed. To do this, press out the decorative flange with a knife or screwdriver, after which it must be turned. The fasteners will open and are tightened with a screwdriver. But if the task is to remove the handle, then the fasteners must be unscrewed after opening the flange.
Purely structurally, push and turn handles consist of two main elements. This is, for example, an L-shaped handle, which is a separate element. And the second is the same handle only with the axial part, which is an integral part. Therefore, after the fasteners have been removed, the handle is removed from the pin. In this case, the second handle with the axial part must be held with your hand. After which she is pulled out of the door leaf.
There are other types of handles in which the pin is a separate element. Disassembly of these models is done in exactly the same way. The only difference is that both handles are removed at the same time, and the pin is pulled out separately. After which the decorative strip located at the end of the door leaf is dismantled. It is secured with two self-tapping screws. And only then the lock itself is pulled out from the end of the door.
Push-type door handle with pin Source palladium.ru
The rotary handles are removed almost exactly the same way. But they also have their own nuances:
- First, the ball knob, which is a separate element from the entire lock, is held on the pin by a small spring-loaded pin. Therefore, to remove it, you need to press on this pin with the key that comes with the door lock.
- Secondly, when you remove the ball, you will find a bar underneath it, secured with two screws. They need to be unscrewed. After which the opposite ball can be easily removed.
The lock itself is removed in the same way as in the case of overhead models - through the end of the door leaf. Please note that the height of the door handle, here we mean the height of its installation, has strict standards that take into account the ease of use of this device. Therefore, you should not rearrange them higher or lower, of course, unless you have some physical abnormalities.
The best manufacturers
If you are choosing door handles for your dacha, there is no point in buying super expensive ones. Then you can search the market from the “good China” category. When purchasing, pay attention to the weight. Silumin ones crumble after just a few months, but they can be calculated by weight - they are light. All other alloys are quite heavy. If ease of care is important to you, consider plastic ones. They are not inferior in strength, however, we have a problem with the assortment.
If you don’t know how to choose handles for a well-renovated house or apartment, you’ll have to choose from a more expensive segment. The Italians produce very good door fittings. There is a premium class, but there is also a quite reasonable price. There are also worthy manufacturers from other countries.
According to reviews, they have proven themselves well:
- AGB
- Colombo
- Anselmi (Italy)
- Palladium
- Apecs
These are color options for metal door handles from Colombo
. From the entire list, the cheapest are Apecs, but they have the largest backlash. Although it has been in use for years. All others are approximately at the same level in terms of quality, although prices for similar models may differ. But it's a matter of special technologies. Usually they relate to spraying - new technologies are being developed for applying various types of metals so that the coating does not “slip” during operation. The Italian company Colombo has achieved great success in this. Years later, the appearance of the handles remains “like new.”
Reasons for renovation
Before disassembling the interior door lock, it is necessary to identify common defects in the device:
- it is necessary to make significant efforts to lower the L-shaped handle or turn the ball, this is the so-called jamming of the door handle;
- the handle does not return to its original position, here the reason lies in the spring, which is better to replace;
- the latch comes out and enters the lock with difficulty - disruption of the operation of the bolts that move the latch;
- the handle has moved away from the door leaf and has become loose, this is not always a weakening of the fasteners, sometimes it is a consequence of the weakening of the entire mechanism;
- tongue jammed.
Tools for disassembly and dismantling
The process of removing a door handle from an interior door requires a minimum set of simple tools:
- To unscrew self-tapping screws, you need a flat-head or Phillips-head screwdriver, or a screwdriver with a set of bits of different tip designs.
Rice. 24. Screwdriver
- If there are other threaded fasteners in the handle design, you will need to purchase a set of internal hexagons.
Figure 25. Internal hexagons
- If the handle is old and cannot be removed without effort, you can use a knife with a wide and thick blade or a chisel.
Rice. 26. Construction knife
- To dismantle the handle or change its position on the door leaf, you should also stock up on a small hammer.
Fig 27. Hammer
When the handle is removed, you need to examine the condition of the door frame and the installation location of the old bolt. If necessary, the surface should be finished with a file.
Door handle repair
Let's move on to the next question - how to disassemble the door handle of an interior door with a lock. Where to start is by identifying the defect that has appeared, which reduces the quality of the device. Most often this is either a loose keyhole or wear on the rotating mechanism. In any case, the lock will have to be disassembled. How it's done:
- first of all, you need to remove the retaining ring; this can be done by picking it up with a screwdriver;
- then the torsion spring and key washer are removed, it is the latter that often breaks, or rather, the edges of the recess for the key are cut off.
Broken lever handle spring Source mdim.in.ua
Types of mortise locks
Based on the name, it is clear that such a mechanism is located inside the canvas. The difference between mortise locks lies only in the shape of the handles. Today there are many of them, but some of the most popular are round and straight with a push type.
Mechanism assembly
Locking devices are sold complete with handles or separately. With the second option, the lock is installed first, and only then the fittings for it. Door lock mechanisms have distinctive features of fixing the tongue.
