2

enter image description hereboth handles removed[latch bolt still in door jambThe latch bolt for my exterior door is stuck inside the door jamb. I have removed both door handles, but can't get the door open to get at the latch plate or strike plate. Short of taking the entire door off the hinges (it's 10 degrees in MN...), other suggestions?

I believe it's a Kwikset Titan lock.

Improve this question
4
  • 2
    Can you post a picture of what you see?
    – bib
    Commented Jan 29, 2018 at 21:44
  • 2
    Have you tried taking a screwdriver or similar and retracting the bolt via the hole the handle usually occupies? Your first picture looks like you might be able to get something skinny in there to work the bolt open, too...
    – poorplanning
    Commented Jan 29, 2018 at 22:51
  • Yes, I tried that with a small screwdriver but couldn't budge the bolt. I also tried to work a fine screwdriver in between the door jamb and the door, but can't get it to snag on anything.
    – Nancy
    Commented Jan 29, 2018 at 23:12
  • maybe there is an anti burglar locking mechanism of some sort on the bolt ... buy another one at walmart or someplace that sells them and examine it closely
    – jsotola
    Commented Jan 30, 2018 at 5:30

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
4

This isn't a recent post but I thought my experience might help someone. I had a similar situation where the knobs were off but the latch wouldn't release. It seems the transmission plate came unattached from the latch somewhere inside the mechanism, so sliding it back with a screwdriver did nothing.

I tried to take the door off the hinges but it wouldn't budge even with significant force. I have an older door with a 5 inch backset so the latch was very long and perhaps helped to hold the door tight even with the hinge pins out.

Ultimately I got out my Dremel multi max with a wood/metal blade attachment, slotted it between the door and jamb at the face plate and sawed through the bolt. I really didn't think that would work, but the cheap Kwikset bolt was partially hollow and didn't provide a lot of resistance. If you go this route you'll want to dig the cut piece out of the bolt hole with a screwdriver and not your finger, as it will be quite hot from cutting through.

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. Good answer: keep 'em coming!
    – Daniel Griscom
    Commented Dec 11, 2018 at 23:52
2

Typically you are supposed to remove the knobs with door already open. On some sets you can install the knob with the stub ( I:E: the part that is shaped like a half circle that goes through the hole in the latch of the same shape ) without depressing the latch from the side of the door but some require you to press in the latch. Try to put in the knob with the stub that fits into the latch and turn it. If not you may be able to use a screwdriver to push back or turn or a combination or pushing and turning the mechanism to retract the latch.

Improve this answer
6
  • I certainly would have removed the knobs when the door was open if I could have opened the door. The whole problem is the door won't open no matter what I do. The knobs (levers handles, in this case) do completely depress, but without drawing in the latch, like they're supposed to. I disassembled another handle to see if I could see anything useful, but it just confirmed that the lever action on the stuck door is not acting the way it's supposed to. I'm thinking I just may have to take the door completely off to get at the latch. Sigh...
    – Nancy
    Commented Jan 30, 2018 at 1:57
  • 2
    @Nancy I am sorry, that was not clear to me when i read your question. Just remove the hinge pins and have someone on the other side of the door gently push the door on the hinge side while you support the bottom of a hinge. ( or visa versa ) You should be able to swing the door out enough to clear the jamb and then away from the jamb on the latch side. You can then remove the faulty part and replace with a shiny new door knob.
    – Alaska Man
    Commented Jan 30, 2018 at 3:43
  • Thanks. That's what I've reluctantly decided I have to do. Its very cold here right now but it should be a quick job.
    – Nancy
    Commented Jan 30, 2018 at 14:46
  • So now I can't get the hinge pins out. If you look at the hinge picture I added, you can see 2 little bendy parts on the flat of the hinge. They don't look like they could be attached to the pin, but is there something else going on inside that I can't see that would explain why the pins aren't moving?
    – Nancy
    Commented Jan 30, 2018 at 17:43
  • @Nancy Did you use a pin punch to try to get the hinge pins out?
    – Andrew Morton
    Commented Jan 30, 2018 at 18:41
1

The tongue is stuck due to friction. The friction may be inside the latch or may be between the latch and the plate on the door jam. So, spray lubricant on all parts (both those easily accessible and those hardly accessible) and wait for the lubricant to seep into little cracks. Then reinsert the door knob (or use a screwdriver) and try to giggle and then turn the door knob while pushing on the door, top and bottom (alternately), and do this from the inside and the outside.

Improve this answer
1

Depending how well your house is built:

At the risk of wondering what good your lock really does, many doorjambs are (too) bendable and a simple prybar (between door and jamb) will move the jamb enough to pop the latch free (or at least enough to allow prying on the bolt itself.)

Improve this answer
2
  • Hmmm... I'll try that - gently - tomorrow.
    – Nancy
    Commented Jan 30, 2018 at 1:53
  • 1
    Careful, most door jambs are shimmed at the latchset...
    – Jack
    Commented Jan 30, 2018 at 3:08
1

this just happened to me and I got it without unhinging the door or sawing so wanted to help.

once you remove the face and get to the picture above where the deadbolt is stuck in lock position in door but handles are removed... you'll notice that you can move the deadbolt back a little by sticking a screwdriver into the center piece with the 3 holes...(the piece that normally would control the lock mechanism)...youll see you can get it to move a little, but the piece doesnt have enough room to get the bolt put because it runs into the back of the hole (hoping this makes sense) well once you see you can move it a little, take pliers and reach in and gently bend the piece towards you until it is free of the area so that it is in the shape of an L, deadbolt in lock and piece is bent free and then you have enough room to just pull the bolt free....no sawing or unhinging necessary

Improve this answer
1
  • Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. Thanks for the answer; keep 'em coming. And, you should probably take our tour so you'll know how best to contribute here.
    – Daniel Griscom
    Commented Jan 19, 2020 at 21:39

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.