Sawdust on the Floor

Replacing a door knob on an existing door is a relativity easy project that almost anyone can tackle. In most cases the only tools that you will need is a Phillips screw driver, a utility knife, and maybe a chisel

Let’s start with the easy part, removing the old door knob. There are basically two styles of door knobs, and depending on which type you have will determine how we take the old one off.

The door knob handle and the trim ring will either be a one piece unit or two separate pieces. Start by looking under the handle of your existing door. Look for a small set screw, which is loosened by using a Hex Head wrench, (also known as an Allen Wrench) or a small rectangular button. If you have the set screw, simply back out the setscrew, and pull the handle off. If your door knob has the button, use a small screw driver to depress the button, and the handle will pull off the shaft. If the old knob doesn’t have either the set screw or button, it is a one piece and the handle and the trim ring will come off as one piece.

Door knobs are made up of two pieces, one on the face side of the door and the other on the back side of the door. There are two screws normally installed on the back side the door which hold the two pieces together. Removing these two screws will remove the two halves of the knob.

Now you will have to remove the mechanism from the edge of the door itself. Simply remove the two screws, and pull the mechanism out of the door. Now you can remove the strike plate, which is on the door jam itself. This is also held on with two Phillips screws. Congratulations, you’re half way there.

We start by installing the new mechanism (plunger assembly) into the door. Look at the end of the part, the plunger will have a flat edge; this always goes away from the door jam. When you install the part into the edge of the door it must fit flat. Sometimes the new piece will be a bit larger then the part you removed. If your door is made of a soft wood, you can carefully cut out the offending wood. If the door happens to be made out of a hardwood, then you may need to use a sharp chisel to remove the wood. Once the plunger assembly fits flat, fasten it with two screws.

Now let’s install the two halves of the door knob. Start with the face side. It should simply push into the existing hole. On some door knobs, you may have to depress the plunger to get the parts to fit together correctly. The face piece will have a shaft that passes thru the plunger assembly and out the other side of the door. Then place the back side of the door knob on the shaft. Just like the two screws that held the old knob together, the new one will have two screws that hold the two halves together. One word of advice, tighten the screws evenly, if one side is too tight the knob will bind.

The last thing to do is replace the strike plate on the door jam. Simply install the new one using the new screws. Check your new knob to be sure it functions ok. If the plunger binds, then check the screws hold the halves together. If the door will not latch, check the strike plate. You may need to move it further away from the door stop. If the door rattles when closed, move the strike plate closer to the door stop.

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