How to remove a knob from a door lock
How to remove knobs and levers from door locks is a very common question we get asked. I would like to think this will help you with removing those tricky knobs.
Inside knob
Removing the inside knob from a lock is a necessity when removing push button or cylindrical locks.
The inside knob is also the easiest to remove.
- Locate the handle retainer pin hole for the inside handle.
- Use a scribe, wire or handle removal tool to push in the retaining pin.
- Pull the handle from the door lock.
Without turning the handle, push in the retaining pin that holds the knob onto the lock. When depressed the handle can be pulled off.
Be sure you are pushing the retaining pin. Sometimes the rings are not centred on the pin.
Remove a knob with retaining pin visible
Some locks have an retaining pin that is visible through the retaining pin hole. These locks do not require the handle to be rotated to remove the handle.
These lock include locks with a fixed handle, such as locks with a storeroom function and the inside cylinder of some gate locks and glass door locks.
To remove these locks we have to follow these steps:
- Locate the handle retainer pin hole for the handle.
- Insert the key and turn it 90 degrees.
- Use a scribe, wire or handle removal tool to push in the retaining pin.
- Pull the handle from the door lock.
This type of knob will require a working key.
If the key is not turned it is not possible to remove the handle.
We first have to turn the key 90 degrees, then push down the handle retaining pin.
The knob can then be pulled from the lock.
In these photos we have left the lock tail piece in position to show how the key must be turned to push the retaining pin.
The tail piece, blocks the handle retainer. It only pushes down when the key is turned.
When the key is turned, there is now space for the retainer to depress.
With the key turned 90 degrees the knob can now be removed.
Remove a knob that must be rotated
Some types of knob locks require the outside handle to be rotated before the handle retaining pin is visible. The manufacturers do this to hide the retaining pin when the lock is in the locked position. The lock must be unlocked and a key available to remove the handle.
The Lock Mob locksmith Toowong are a Brisbane based locksmith and security advisors. Contact us for any locks, key and security problem you may have.
The retainer is not exposed as in the previous example. There is an outer cover ring that covers the retainer pin.
To remove a knob that has to be turned first follow these steps:
- Locate the handle retainer pin hole for the handle.
- Rotate knob to expose the lock retaining pin.
- Insert the key and turn it 90 degrees in the opposite direction.
- Use a scribe, wire or handle removal tool to push in the retaining pin.
- Pull the handle from the door lock.
To remove the handle, we first must rotate the handle, to expose the retainer pin.
With the handle rotated we have to turn the key in the opposite direction 90 degrees.
We can now depress the handle retainer, with our scribe, and pull the handle from the lock.
To refit the knob the handle is pushed on until it comes to a stop. The key is then turned to allow the retainer to depress.
The knob can then be fully pushed into position.
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