Any ideas how to fix a door knob?

[seaglass]

Damn, my husband went away for the weekend and I need him already.

The door won't open to my daughter's room. She had to climb in the window to get ready for school and then climb out again. It won't open from either side.

I tried a screwdriver to loosen and then tighten the knob - doesn't work.

I don't want my daughter to have to use the window to get in and out of her room all weekend, it's not safe.

If I take off the whole knob will I be able to open the door?

[Maine-ah]

1. take off whole knob for the time being.

[seaglass]

2. And that will remove the locking mechanism? n/t

[BarenakedLady]

3. Yes

I had to do that to the door to my garage. It was totally stuck. I took the whole thing apart and put just the knobs back on. Of course, I have to idea how to put the locking mechanism back together. I think a need a whole new set.

[seaglass]

6. Yeah, I kind of wanted to avoid the whole new set but that might

be a nice surprise for my husband when he gets back (if I do it I mean, not if he comes home to find all our doors missing knobs :-)).

[kwassa]

4. spray WD-40 in the mechanism

it will help cut grease or dirt that is preventing from turning.

Most knobs are held in by 2 screws on the inside. A phillips head screw driver will help you take off the knobs.

if that doesn't work, you can pull the door hinges with pliers and remove the door altogether

what kind of lock does it have?

[seaglass]

5. Ok, I unscrewed one of the screws and all that happened

was the screw fell on the floor, the door knob wouldn't budge.

When my daughter got home from school she somehow got the door knobs off and the door opened, so we are OK for now.

The doors and knobs are 60-70 years old I think. I don't know what kind of lock they have, just the kind that pops out of the frame.

The whole contraption really needs to be replaced on all our doors but I like that they're old glass and I find it hard parting with them.

[BrotherBuzz]

11. That screw is the set screw that locks the doorknob onto the spindle (square rod)

Your lockset tightened because the set screw worked loose and two knobs were tightened together. No need to replace those wonderful old doorknobs, just rescrew the doorknobs together until tight, then back off a half turn, or so, and replace the set screw (do this entire operation with the door OPEN). Lock-tight™ (thread glue) applied to set screw will assure the set screw won't work loose in the future.

[seaglass]

12. Ok, I thought the problem was because the spindle is smooth

and there aren't really any threads for the knobs to grasp on to. We have another door that every few days I get the screwdriver out and tighten the set screw so I can open the door.

I'm going to try your suggestion because I really do want to hold onto the doorknobs.

When you say back off a half turn, do you mean once it's really tight loosen it up a half turn and should I do that to both knobs?

[BrotherBuzz]

14. The threads are just on the corners of the spindle

One doorknob should already be fixed (locked) to the spindle so it doesn't need attention. Tighten both doorknobs together, snug, not tight, then back off a bit until slightly loose, and replace the set screw to lock - and you're done. It's really easy when you understand, and if you play with it a bit and learn, and you'll be an expert before you know it.

I highly recommend using Lock-tight™ on all your doors.

My glass doorknobs were installed by my grandfather over ninety years ago, and I have it on good authority that lightning would strike me if I ever attempted to replace them. ;)

[seaglass]

17. My husband doesn't appreciate them nearly as much as I do

and if I can't get it fixed I'd hate to think what he might want to replace them with. Thanks for your help.:-)

[BrotherBuzz]

19. Well, with the door open....

can you place the spindle in the square hole on the lockset and operate the mechanism freely? If you can, the whole mess is very fixable if you follow my crude instructions.

I know you can do it! :)

[rug]

7. Use an axe.

[Inchworm]

8. is the old type with skeleton keyhole?

Just curious. If it is, find a key and work key while dousing it with WD-40. Reason I ask is because if locks are that old the dorknob is really just for show (kinda sorta)

:shrug:

[seaglass]

9. Yes it is. You're so smart. So am I supposed to keep the key

in the door and turn the key to open the door instead of using the doorknob? I don't actually have a key though.

[Inchworm]

10. So someone closed the door

and bam, locked?

Either someone had a key and locked it, jobbed something in the hole and locked it, or when the door shut the little dealy came out and it locked itself. My guesses anyhow.

If you are low on tools find any thing that will fit in narrowest part of the keyhole and jiggle, jiggle until you get lucky. If no WD-40, try spray cooking oil.

Just ideas from a distance.

:)

[seaglass]

13. Slammed the door. I don't think the lock is a working lock, it

might be just a decoration because we've never used/needed it before.

[Inchworm]

15. Still no luck?

How goes the mission?

:)

[seaglass]

16. The mission will be accomplished tomorrow, I hope. Thanks

for your help.:-)

[SPKrazy]

18. take the hinges off

or not

:shrug:

depends on the doorknob

and what kind of knob it is