The Lemon Fool

Our rear uPVC door has developed a problem in that the handle of the multipoint lock mechanism no longer springs back to its rest position after opening or locking the door. The mechanisms all operate OK but it seems as though a spring of some sort has failed perhaps. It’s an Everest door some 12 years old. Are these mechanisms standard? Could I replace a spring perhaps? Is fitting a new multipoint lock straightforward for a competent DIYer? Thanks.

quelquod wrote:
Our rear uPVC door has developed a problem in that the handle of the multipoint lock mechanism no longer springs back to its rest position after opening or locking the door. The mechanisms all operate OK but it seems as though a spring of some sort has failed perhaps. It’s an Everest door some 12 years old.

Are these mechanisms standard?

Could I replace a spring perhaps? Is fitting a new multipoint lock straightforward for a competent DIYer?

The handle-return mechanism is usually maintained by small spring-cassettes located in the handle itself, and can be replaced by anyone happy to take a look and who's confident with a screwdriver -



(Image source from URL at the end of this post)

Have a look at these two YouTube videos, and see if the spring-cassettes are the issue on your door -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSI6UMo47DY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smoTlywnd28

When I replaced the last faulty one in our rear patio-door a few years ago, the springs themselves were fine, but the section of metal that the handle went through in the cassette had worn down quite badly and finally split, so do note that it might not be the springs themselves that are causing this issue, and keep a good eye on the state of the square metal section above them...

Replacement spring cassettes are cheaply available online -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=upvc+door+handle+spring+cassette

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

Another fault that can cause this problem is a broken spring in the gearbox. The gearbox is the part of the lock that contains the works, where the lock cylinder and the spindle(s) for the handles go. The long bits with the rollers, hooks, etc. hook or otherwise attach to this by one means or another. Each brand is different and each brand can have more than one type.

Replacing a gearbox is usually straightforward. You may need to ensure that the other bits go back in the same place (they may fit together using a toothed rack that can fit in several positions).

Julian F. G. W.

Thanks. It was one of the spring cassettes which had snapped across the hole carrying the spindle and jammed. A couple of ££ on eBay as noted above. In fact just taking out the broken one has effected a partial cure, just not as strong a spring action of course.

quelquod wrote:
It was one of the spring cassettes which had snapped across the hole carrying the spindle and jammed.

A couple of ££ on eBay as noted above. In fact just taking out the broken one has effected a partial cure, just not as strong a spring action of course.

Great news.

Given that they're usually bought in pairs, you could consider replacing both, given the age and likely condition of the remaining one.

The other option is to keep the new spare for when the other one goes, but then you've got to remember where you put it 'for safe-keeping', of course...

Cheers,

Itsallaguess