Sticky conservatory door latch

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Thu Jul 13, 2023 8:15 am

The latch/locking mechanism is sticky on my conservatory door. You lift the handle up to send the latch across (circled in red), then turn the thumb screw. However when you come to unlock the the door, the latch doesn't always retract fully - you have to raise and lower the handle a few times to get it to retract into the door.

I have tried lubing to no avail, do I need to replace the handle mechanism?

Scotty001 · Post by **Scotty001** » Thu Jul 13, 2023 11:54 am

What did you lube it with? Wd40, 3in1, gt85 type spray lubes unfortunately only make matters worse, they collect all the dust dirt and grime turning it into a big sticky sludge mess.
ideally you want to use a graphite powder for locking mechanisms.
I'm not sure how to get a gunky sticky mess out of a locking mechanism so you can free it up and use graphite powder.

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Thu Jul 13, 2023 12:11 pm

Scotty001 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 13, 2023 11:54 am What did you lube it with? Wd40, 3in1, gt85 type spray lubes unfortunately only make matters worse, they collect all the dust dirt and grime turning it into a big sticky sludge mess.
ideally you want to use a graphite powder for locking mechanisms.
I'm not sure how to get a gunky sticky mess out of a locking mechanism so you can free it up and use graphite powder.

it was 3 in 1.

Can the door handle be replaced, including that sticky mech?

wine~o · Post by **wine~o** » Thu Jul 13, 2023 12:42 pm

Dies the mechanism operate smoothly with the door open ?

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Thu Jul 13, 2023 2:09 pm

wine~o wrote: ↑Thu Jul 13, 2023 12:42 pm Dies the mechanism operate smoothly with the door open ?

Nope - whether open or closed the latch is often reluctant to pop back in. No resistance when pressed with a finger though. I'll take it apart and clean it and see what is what.

wine~o · Post by **wine~o** » Thu Jul 13, 2023 3:51 pm

Hmm tricky one, first thing I would do is replace the euro cylinder, inportant to get the right size though...

https://www.google.com/search?q=thumb+t ... e&ie=UTF-8

If that doesn't cure it then check the springs in the door handles if worn or broken replace with the correct type

https://www.google.com/search?q=upvc+do ... e&ie=UTF-8

If neither of those work then get back to us.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Thu Jul 13, 2023 4:28 pm

The common issue can be the espagnolette lock gearbox that gets gummed up. Lots of video guidance on YouTube

DWD

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Thu Jul 13, 2023 6:19 pm

Thanks everyone, will have a look on sunday. The eurocylinder is new (I replaced last year as I wanted a thumbturn on the inside)