Fix A Sticky Situation: Diy Door Handle Spring Repair

Repairing a door handle spring is a simple task that can save you money and give you a sense of achievement. The only special tool you need is a pair of external circlip pliers, which can be purchased cheaply online. The process involves removing the handle from the door, taking out the broken spring, and fitting a new one. It is important to protect your eyes and be cautious when handling circlips, as they can sometimes fly off the pliers. When fitting a new spring, a little grease can help improve wear and movement.

Removing the handle from the door

Removing a Handle with Exposed Screws:

• Check for exposed screws on the inside of the door. Look for 1 to 3 mounting screws on the side of the door that doesn't have a keyhole. They will usually be on the cover plate surrounding the handle.
• Loosen the mounting screws with a screwdriver. Use a Phillips or flat-head screwdriver depending on the type of screws. Turn them counterclockwise to loosen and remove them.
• Pull the handles out of the latch assembly. With the screws removed, you can now pull the knobs or levers out of the latch mechanism by pulling them in opposite directions.
• Remove the latch mechanism if you're installing a new handle. Loosen the screws on the side of the door that secure the latch plate, then carefully pry off the plate with a flat-head screwdriver. After that, pull the latch mechanism through the side of the door.

Loosening Recessed Fasteners:

• Look for a recessed slot in the shaft of the handle. Check the neck of the knob or lever for a small hole.
• Depress a button with a paperclip or thin tool if there's no screw in the slot. Straighten a paperclip or use a thin, pointed tool like an awl. Gently pull the knob away from the door while inserting the tool into the slot.
• Remove a recessed screw with a narrow screwdriver. If there's a Phillips or flat-head screw in the hole, use a small screwdriver to turn it counterclockwise and loosen it. After removing the screw, pull off the handles. If the spindle connecting the handles doesn't come out, you may need to pry off or unscrew the cover plate to access the mounting screws.
• Use an Allen wrench to loosen a hex-head screw. If the screw has a hexagonal head, insert an Allen wrench that's small enough to access it and turn it counterclockwise to loosen and remove it.

Removing a Handle with a Cover Plate:

• Pry off the cover plate if it has a notch. Look for a small notch or cut-out where the plate meets the door. Insert a flat-head screwdriver into the notch and gently pry off the plate. The cover plate may be round or rectangular.
• Try turning a round cover plate counterclockwise. If there's no notch and the cover plate is round, try turning it counterclockwise with a wrench or by hand to loosen and remove it. Then, slide it down the neck of the door handle to access the mounting screws.
• Check for any recessed fasteners hidden by the plate. If the door knob is still in place, look for a slot with a recessed fastener that was concealed by the cover plate. Insert a paperclip or loosen a small screw to remove the handle.
• Loosen the screws that were concealed by the cover plate. Turn the mounting screws counterclockwise, pull them out, and then remove the handles and the spindle connecting them.
• Remove the latch plate and latch bolt if necessary. Loosen the screws over the plate on the side of the door, then carefully pry off the latch plate and pull out the latch mechanism.

Using a knife to separate the handle from the door

If your door handle has no visible screws, you can use a knife to separate the handle from the door. First, check for a notch or cut-out on the cover plate where it meets the door. If there is a notch, insert a flat-head screwdriver and gently pry off the plate. If there is no notch, try turning the cover plate counterclockwise with a wrench or by hand to loosen and remove it.

Once the cover plate is removed, look for any recessed fasteners or mounting screws that were hidden by the plate. If there is a slot with a recessed fastener, use a paperclip or screwdriver to remove the handle. If there are exposed screws, use a screwdriver to loosen and remove them.

If your door handle has a lever, you may need to use an Allen wrench to loosen and remove any hexagonal-shaped fasteners. Alternatively, you can try to use a knife to pry between the door handle and the door to create a gap and release the handle. Be careful not to damage the door or the handle when using this method.

Taking out the circlip

To take out the circlip, you will need a pair of circlip pliers. These are available to purchase online. It is recommended to use straight-nosed external circlip pliers.

Once you have your circlip pliers, insert the two tips of the pliers into the two holes in the circlip. Squeeze the handles of the pliers together. This will open the circlip, and you will be able to remove it from the groove in the handle shaft.

It is important to wear eye protection when removing the circlip, as they can sometimes fly off the pliers. Additionally, never attempt to prise the circlip off with a screwdriver, as this will deform the circlip and could result in injury.

If your door handle has two circlips, you will need to repeat this process for the second circlip.

Now that the circlip has been successfully removed, you can move on to the next step of the door handle spring repair process, which is to remove any washers and cams from around the broken spring.

Removing washers and the cam

Once you have opened up the circlip with your pliers, you will be able to see the small metal disks that are the washers and cams. These are located around the broken spring. The cam is the disk with one or two points, which define the extent of the handle's travel. If the cam has one point, it defines the horizontal position of the handle. If it has two, it also defines the downward travel of the handle.

It is a good idea to make a note of the orientation of the cam before you remove it. This will help you when it comes to refitting the cam later. As soon as the cam is removed, the handle should move upwards under the force of the spring. However, if your spring is broken, you will need to move the handle up manually so that the lever is approximately vertical.

Now, you can remove any broken fragments of the old spring.

Fitting a new spring

First, remove the handle from the door, placing newspaper underneath to catch any falling metal dust. If the handle was painted over, run a sharp knife around it to avoid damaging the paintwork when removing it. Once the handle is off, the inside should be visible. Put on some eye protection, then insert the tips of the circlip pliers into the two holes in the circlip. Squeeze the handles together to open the circlip, then remove it from the groove in the handle shaft. Next, take out any washers and the cam (the metal disc with one or two points that define the extent of the handle's travel). Make a note of the cam's orientation before removing it.

Now, manually move the handle up so that the lever is vertical. Remove any fragments of the old spring, then fit the new spring, following the manufacturer's instructions. Apply some grease or Vaseline to the spring. Once the spring is fitted, depress the handle just past the horizontal position with one hand, while pressing the cam onto the shaft with the other. Replace any washers and then refit the circlip, remembering to wear eye protection.

Frequently asked questions