Removing a doorknob where the detent doesn't work

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Removing a doorknob where the detent doesn't work

neb

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#289419 4-Sep-2021 15:41

I'm looking at replacing one of the worn-out door locks at the Casa de Cowboy but I can't get the existing inside knob off to start the disassembly process. There's the usual detent on the side but pressing it doesn't release the door knob (and it's an actual detent, not a screw), no amount of jiggling, poking, twisting, or strong language is having any effect. Any ideas?

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#2772117 4-Sep-2021 15:51

Is there a tiny grub screw in that small hole you can see just at the back of the knob?

neb

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#2772123 4-Sep-2021 16:02

chevrolux: Is there a tiny grub screw in that small hole you can see just at the back of the knob?

No, that's why I said "it's an actual detent, not a screw".

Stu

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#2772129 4-Sep-2021 16:17

What's on the other side of the door?

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neb

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#2772133 4-Sep-2021 16:23

Stu: What's on the other side of the door?

Uhh... not quite sure what you're asking there, but without trying to be silly it's "the front porch, a large potted plant, the patio, the driveway, and occasionally a cat".

neb

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#2772136 4-Sep-2021 16:34

OK, so I've got the doorknob off, it just needed the detent pressed with a lot more force than I was willing to risk initially. Problem is there's no obvious way to get the rose off, it's solidly attached to the door in some way, gentle persuaders like a rubber mallet won't even budge it, but I can't see any obvious screws or similar that could be holding it in place.

cisconz

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#2772139 4-Sep-2021 16:39

This part is what is holding it on,

It should pop off with enough force, but don't go in too far as you then risk being under the attachment plate.

Hmmmm

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#2772141 4-Sep-2021 16:58

neb:
Stu: What's on the other side of the door?

Uhh... not quite sure what you're asking there, but without trying to be silly it's "the front porch, a large potted plant, the patio, the driveway, and occasionally a cat".

The question wasn't worded well. I meant is there a key barrel. Irrelevant as I think cisconz has spotted the bit you need.

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#2772152 4-Sep-2021 17:23

cisconz:
This part is what is holding it on,

So put a spudger in on the side opposite to where the ident is, or at the same location? Just trying to minimise the potential damage to the paint.

snnet

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#2772153 4-Sep-2021 17:33

pry it closer to the knob as much as possible rather than the door if that makes sense (so you're not [nearly] impossibly trying to pull the whole fixture off the door but rather the cover covering the base

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#2772162 4-Sep-2021 17:59

If its anything like my knobs, you screw it rather than pop it off. Mine has an indent and a S shaped tool that wraps around about 1/3 of the circular rose. You then screw it off.

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#2772165 4-Sep-2021 18:06

duckDecoy:
If its anything like my knobs, you screw it rather than pop it off. Mine has an indent and a S shaped tool that wraps around about 1/3 of the circular rose. You then screw it off.

Yeah, I'd tried that but it wasn't budging, so I'll try a spudger under the edge of the rose.

Mind you, like the detent, it could be that it just needed a bit more force than I was willing to risk... on the one hand because of lockdown I've got plenty of time to work on it, but on the other hand because of lockdown if I damage any part of it I can't just go out and get a replacement, so I'm putting caution before brute force.

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#2772196 4-Sep-2021 19:31

Normally they flick off with a screwdriver, have you taken off the right side? Even if you find that you get it off the screws could be on the doorknob on the other side, normally as you said you pull the Handel out slightly push a small key that came with the lock into the slot and then pull it off. If you don’t have it you could use a small screwdriver to pull the handle off on the other side . Good luck they can be a real pain to get off sometimes

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#2772393 5-Sep-2021 09:41

From memory you twist that base part that is closest to the door and then that plate should pop off. Those little indents act a bit like a nut thread and should secure under the mounting plate that is underneath (screwed to the door).

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#2772452 5-Sep-2021 10:02

I normally knock it off with a paint can screwdriver. Couple of taps with a hammer normally gets it.

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#2772530 5-Sep-2021 14:21

I've tried gentle persuaders like a rubber mallet and it's not even budging, so I'm leaning more towards screw-on than clip-on (I assume the detent at the side that @cisconz pointed out is what grips the threads), but even with a rubber band wrapped around it for extra grip I can't make it move. Once we get back to a level where I can go and buy a replacement if I damage it I'll go for applying more brute force. Thanks for all the advice from everyone!

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