Ever wonder how to change a door knob?
Tools:
- Flathead Screwdriver
- Phillips Head Screwdriver
- Replacement Door Knob
Cost
- ~$20+ depending on the quality of the door knob and locking features.
Changing a door knob is not nearly as complicated as it seems. In general there are three different types of door knobs. There are dummy door knobs which are simply used to open and close a closet and have no latching mechanism. There are simple knobs which have a latch but do not lock, or have a simple push button type lock on one side. Then there are knobs that use a key lock on the outside and a push button type lock on the inside.
Before you go off and buy a new door knob there are two things that you will want to measure. First get a measurement of the thickness of the door. Then get the diameter of the hole in the door for the door knob. If there is already a fixture, removing it is detailed in the next paragraph. If you are going to repair a knob with a latch then you will also want to measure the distance between the middle of the hole to the edge of the door. When purchasing a new knob make sure that the latch length is correct. Now days most knobs are adjustable in about every direction.
Removing an old door knob is quite simple. However, there are many variations of door knobs, and it may require a little trial and error to get it out. In general door knobs have a removable knob on both ends, a cover plate hiding the functional insides of the latching mechanism, and the latching mechanism itself. Some knobs will have the cover plate and knob in one peice. You can easily tell the difference, the combined ones will have screws showing on the inside, while the seperate ones will not show any visible screws.
The first step in removing the old knob is to remove the knob and cover plate. If you see screws, then take them out. If not, then look for a metal tab on the shaft of the door knob. Pushing in on this tab with a flat head screwdriver and pulling on the know should remove the knob. Then look for a seperate tab holding the cover plate on, pushing this in as well and gently prying the cover plate from the door should also result in its removal. Once the inside knob and cover plate have been removed there should be a couple screws holding the other side in. Simply remove those screws and pull the other side off. If you have the combined setup, once the outside screws are removed you can remove both knobs by simply pulling them out.
The latching mechanism can be removed by simply using an old screwdriver and using it as a lever to push it out towards the edge of the door.
Once the old knob is removed the new one is easily installed by following these steps in reverse order. Be careful not to lock yourself in a room by closing the door with only the latching mechanism installed. If you do, then you will have to manipulate the latch with a screwdriver or your fingers. Also, be sure to install the knob so that all of the screws are on the inside of the room. It makes no sense to have the screws on the outside of a locked door, as the lock can be simply removed. Follow the instructions for the new knob in order to adjust the knob for door thickness and latch length.