If your door handle isn’t working correctly, you must know how to fix it. There are several steps to follow. First, you need to tighten the screws at the base of the handle. You can also check the lugs and latch follower. Next, you need to line up the handle with the detent.
Lubricate the spring mechanism
Before attempting to repair a door handle, ensure the spring mechanism is lubricated. The spring may be stuck if the handle is not returning to a horizontal position. To fix this, loosen the screws holding the handle and wipe down the spring. If the spring is clean, you may be able to realign the handle back to its horizontal position.
You may also be able to fix the squeak by lubricating the spring mechanism. Depending on the cause, the spring might be rusted or worn, preventing it from retaining its power and allowing it to hold back the catch. If this does not fix the problem, replace the door handle. Likewise, a squeaky door handle may be a symptom of a worn-out door latch.
Check the latch follower.
If you’re having trouble getting the door handle to latch, the latch follower may blame you. This small spring is located outside the door and is operated by two rotating lugs. If the latch follower is faulty, you need to replace it. You should also check the latch body for signs of wear or damage, including loose or broken springs.
The latch follower can become misaligned or cracked due to a misaligned spindle. To test this, you can remove the internal handle and inspect the spindle. You should also be able to see the screw-fixing holes and the cylinder.
Check the lugs
Before you can start fitting a new door handle, you should check the lugs of the old one. Usually, a door handle has two parts: the internal handle and the external handle. The external handle should be fitted on the outside of the door, while the internal handle should be fitted on the inside. It is also necessary to check the lever, which should be held at a 90-degree angle toward the hinges.
If your door handle is loose or wobbly, it is possible that the lugs aren’t aligned correctly. This can be caused by several problems, including a buildup of pollutants. If the lugs are blocked, the lock follower cannot function properly.
Replace the cover plate
The cover plate is the cosmetic part of a door handle. The plate sits between the handle and the door, hiding the inner workings and providing an attractive appearance. The cover plate screws on or off, depending on the type of door handle. The cover plate is often not separable from the handle since some may be screwed on and attached directly to the door handle.
Before installing the new hardware, cover up any unsightly screws. Some handle sets come with paper templates for alignment, but you can also use a level to line up the hardware. Once the cover plate is in place, you can tighten the screws with an Allen wrench or set screw.
