Door Handle Replacement
It's worth it to replace door handles if you aren't happy with the way they appear, or if they're difficult to use. With a bit of patience, you can put in an entirely new handle in a short time.
Modern door handles are equipped with cover plates that conceal the screws to create a stylish appearance. However, you'll need to attach them separately if your new handle does not already have them.
Take off the handle from the old one.
The door handle isn't just a decorative feature for your home it also serves as an important safety feature that lets you to lock and unlock your door. But, over time your door handle can lose its grip, become loose, or appear old and worn out. This is a clear indication that it's time to replace the door handle.
One of the first indications that your door handle is in need of replacing is if it's becoming difficult to operate. This is a serious problem as you will no longer be in a position to lock or unlock the door which could put you and your family at risk.
Another reason to replace your door handle is if it's damaged or broken. A damaged or broken door handle could be quite dangerous, especially when your children or elderly family members have difficulty opening it and could get trapped in the. It's easy to replace a broken handle on the door.
Most modern door handles are standard size and so they should fit any door. If you're not sure whether your new door handle will fit, try removing the old one and measuring its housing holes. This will allow you to buy the right size door handle.
The easiest method to remove the door handle you have been using is to unscrew it from the door itself. Usually you'll need a screwdriver. Some door handles come with the cover plate, which conceals the screws used to mount them. It is necessary to remove this to get to the screws. After you've removed the old handle, make an outline of how the spindle is attached to ensure you are able to align it when you fit the new one.
You can also remove the door handle by depressing the latch mechanism. This is usually done with a screwdriver but you'll need to locate the small latch, which is located at the edge of the trim piece. After you have removed the latch, you'll need to unscrew the handle from the strike plate and then the latch off the door's edge.
Removing the Strike Plate
If you are replacing your handle, you'll be required to replace the latch plate, which holds the hole which the door's latch hooks into when it closes. The packaging that the new handles arrive in will have two different latch plates - one that is rectangular and the other circular (see the diagram above detailing door handle parts). If your current latch plate has rectangular in shape, swap it to a round one, so that the latch hooks into the strike plate in a manner that makes the handle more comfortable to use.
The first step is to loosen the screw that's holding the latch plate that was previously in place. These screws can be quite tight and will require some force to loosen. It might be beneficial to have a second person help with this part if possible.
The latch plate should lift itself out of the door once the screws have been removed. If it is stuck or doesn't move then use a small nail file to scrape around the edges of the latch plate. This can sometimes free up the plate.
You can now move on to preparing the new door strike plate for installation. With the screws made of wood that were included with your new handles, screw the latch plate onto the inside of the doorjamb. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws, as this may damage the strike plate.
If you are not sure whether the latch plate is in its correct position, close and open the door to check whether it latches and closes correctly. If it doesn't then you'll have to adjust the strike plate upwards or down, or move it forward or back, until the door closes and latches correctly.
If the door is still jiggling or moving, you may need to enlarge the hole for the latch in the strike plate. This is more frequent on older doors. It could be caused by wear and tear hinges that are too narrow, the wrong size latch or damaged strike plate. If this is the case, follow the exact procedure to adjust the strike plate, but with a metal file instead of a chisel and hammer.
Remove the Latch
The latch is a curved metal piece that slides in and out of a hole in the inside of your door. The latch moves forward when you turn the handle. It also hooks into a hole in the door frame to keep the door shut. If your door wobbles when you close, a new latch may be all that is needed to correct the issue.
It's difficult to identify the screws that hold the latch to the door, however there's usually a small slot on the trim plate that lets you to insert a screwdriver in order to take it off. After you've removed your trim plate, it'll be easy to remove the latch as well as the remaining bolts that hold the spindle and latch in place.
If window handles doesn't easily release you can try using the clip of a paper or tool to spring it loose from the handle mechanism. Insert the item into the recessed slot of the latch and then gently twist or jiggle until you feel the that the latch and handle begin to break off. You may need to repeat this several times before the latch becomes loose enough to let it out.
After the old latch is removed it should be possible to insert the new latch into the slot without any difficulties. Make use of the new screws to attach the latch to the strike plate or door frame. Make sure it's correctly placed in the slot and aligned with the screw chambers.
Before installing the new handle, be sure to measure your existing backset (the distance from the centre of the big hole on the front of the door to the edge). Make sure that the size of the latch of the new handle matches the measurement.
You'll need a new cylinder for your lock if you're replacing the handle and latch or if your current one is damaged. If you're not changing the locks however, a new latch should fit in your existing recess and will work just fine with the keys you have currently. Choose a latch that has rectangular cover plates that match the handles you have.
Remove the cover plate
Door handles may begin to look worn over time If you replace them with a modern lever-on-rose design, it's a quick and easy DIY project and decorating idea that can improve the overall appearance of your home. You can purchase complete sets that include matching escutcheons and privacy adaptor kits.
The first step to replace the door handle inside is to remove the cover plate or rose, which covers the screws and the mechanism within. Use a flathead to remove the plate. It may have an opening along one side or be held in place by a pin.
When the cover plate is removed take the screw that holds the inside handle in place, and then set it aside. Take off the screws that hold both the inner and outer plates. You can loosen them by using a Philips Screwdriver. Then, you can remove the outer plates and latch plate from the door and set them aside.
Some doors don't have this gap. If yours isn't have a handle, you'll need to make a hole in the door. It's the same procedure as opening a locked door, but you will have to be extra careful not to harm the frame or door.
After the holes are drilled after which you'll have to put in new door knob screws. Buy the same dimensions as your old screws to prevent getting a handle too tight or loose. Installing a new latch and strike rod is also necessary. They aren't included in most door handle sets.
If you're looking for a quality replacement for your interior door handle set look no further than the Amazon's Choice FAERSI two-piece chrome finish handle set. It's a factory-fit product and has received hundreds of 5-star reviews. It's a great choice for replacing worn out or damaged interior door hardware on your Chevy.