Door latch sticking, door handle stiff - Replace mortice latch mechanism, by Lurgs How To Guides on YouTube. 7 min 42 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 42 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Open the door and check where the latch catches. Look for rub marks on the strike plate and frame before you take anything apart.
Remove the door handles. Undo the screws on each handle or rose, then pull both handles off the spindle.
Take out the latch. Undo the two screws in the faceplate on the door edge and slide the mortice latch out of the hole.
Measure the old latch. Note the backset, the faceplate size and the body depth so the new latch fits the same cutout.
Buy a matching latch. Take the old one to the shop or compare sizes online. A different backset will not line up with the handle hole.
Fit the new latch. Slide it into the mortice, line up the spindle hole and screw the faceplate back into the door edge.
Refit the handles. Push the spindle through the latch, fit both handles and tighten the screws evenly.
Test the door. Turn the handle and close the door. If it still sticks, adjust the strike plate on the frame or ease the frame with a chisel.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the screws in a cup so they do not roll away while the handles are off.
Check the spindle length before refitting. A spindle that is too short makes the handle feel loose.
If the latch rubs on the strike plate, file the plate opening slightly rather than forcing the door.
Questions
Do I need to replace the whole lock or just the latch?
Only the latch if the handle turns but the door sticks. Replace the whole lock if the key or deadbolt also fails.
How do I know which size latch to buy?
Measure the backset from the door edge to the spindle centre and the faceplate height and width. Match all three to the new latch.
Can I fix a stiff handle without a new latch?
Sometimes. A drop of lubricant on the latch and a check for loose screws can free a stiff handle before you buy parts.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
