Front Door Handle Sticking

faceman

Hope this is the right place to post this. My front door handle is getting sticky or stuck when I try to lock it.

It's one of those locks where you raise the handle upward before turning the key.

It's not an alignment issue with the frame as the same thing happens if you try to do it with the door open. The door opens fine with the handle otherwise.

Any tips on how to fix it? I've looked online but can't find anything. Not sure what door it is.

There's a small dial just above the handle on the interior side of the door. Not sure if that does anything?

Cheers!

listermint

Have you tried plain and simple wd40 on the handle joints lock mechanism and any of the catches if it has catches around the door into the frame. Spray all of them liberally and then move the handle and lock and unlock a few times

cjpm

Try WD 40 on all moving mechanisms.

If that fails Google adjust door hinges using Allen keys

I had the same problem, and I used an Allen key to tighten the top hinge as the door was after falling down ever so slightly. Fixed my problem

jeepers101

I just fixed a similar problem yesterday. I took out the euro cylinder and sprayed liberally with WD40. Worked a charm. Strictly speaking though I believe a graphite lubricant should be used with locking mechanisms.

listermint

jeepers101 wrote: »

I just fixed a similar problem yesterday. I took out the euro cylinder and sprayed liberally with WD40. Worked a charm. Strictly speaking though I believe a graphite lubricant should be used with locking mechanisms.

Correct its the better option but less people have it handy

exaisle

If this locks at several points, there will be a rod running up inside the door. It's accessible by removing the screws on retaining plates.
If the lock is sticking, it may be that this rod needs to be cleaned/lubricated. Again, WD40 is your friend....

faceman

Thanks folks. I've already wd-40 the crap out of the door without dismantling anything.

What are these plates/rods etc you've mentioned? Is it easy?

cjpm

faceman wrote: »

Thanks folks. I've already wd-40 the crap out of the door without dismantling anything.

What are these plates/rods etc you've mentioned? Is it easy?

You need to find out if it's the actual mechanism is the problem or the alignment of the door.

When the door is open, turn the handle up and try locking with the key. If it won't the mechanism is at fault. If it will then it's the hinges that need to be adjusted with an Allen key.

faceman

cjpm wrote: »

You need to find out if it's the actual mechanism is the problem or the alignment of the door.

When the door is open, turn the handle up and try locking with the key. If it won't the mechanism is at fault. If it will then it's the hinges that need to be adjusted with an Allen key.

Cheers. Yes when it's open it still gets stuck when trying to lock it

mordeith

faceman wrote: »

Cheers. Yes when it's open it still gets stuck when trying to lock it

You might want to get that fixed asap. Same thing was happening to our door for a while until one day something snapped and the door handle was just swinging loose. Couldn't open the door at all. Had to call a locksmith who replaced the rod after taking a long while to get open in the first place (some brute force required). Turns out that when a door sensor for the alarm was installed the engineer left a screw protruding a bit from the door frame. When we would be locking the door the point at the top was having to force itself against the protruding screw until it caused the failure.

iLikeWaffles

faceman wrote: »

Cheers. Yes when it's open it still gets stuck when trying to lock it

Is the key you are using cut from a copy of the original key off the lock or copy of copy. Try get a new key cut from the original. Happened to one of my keys and it was just cut badly.

If the wd-40 fails could try a more heavy grease oil, type you put on a bike chain. Just load it on the key itself and put it in the lock and twist around a few times. That doesn't work the locking mechanisms are easy enough to replace, Just get the size in woodies/homebase wherever think they are about €25-€30. They are just held in with one screw.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9A915L_mlk

faceman

All sorted now folks. Did a bit of jump and greased the crap out of it again and all is fine now.

In a bitter twist though the back door is now locked shut and can't be opened!! This one will need a door fixer person I suspect!