Deadbolt installation problem?

Question

I am replacing my old Schlage deadbolts with new Schlage ones. I have never had a problem like this before, therefore, I have no clue what is going wrong or how to fix it.

My old deadbolts worked fine. I just wanted an upgrade. I am using the same holes in the door. The new lock seems to work fine when not installed in the door. All the parts move smoothly with no problems, even when I bolt it all together outside of the door.

The problem comes about when I install the thumbturn unit and the cylinder unit in the door. Once I put the bolts in to hold the two parts together, the deadbolt will no longer turn. Keeping the bolts a little looser will make it possible to turn (this is the recommendation of Schlage), but it's still really hard to turn and it sounds like something is grinding.

I have redone it several times, just in case some part wasn't in the right place. The pin is in the correct backset slot, etc. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer 1

It really sounds like a poor alignment between your cross-bores in the door slab. If the large hole is the small size, 1 1/2 "[approx.], step up to the large 2 1/8 " size. This can be done with a 1 1/2 " hole-saw, screwed into the centre of a 2 1/8 " hole-saw. Come in from both sides, to prevent a blow-out. If the small hole [ from the door edge ] is 7/8 ", increase this to 1 ". Keep drilling past the large hole and penetrate the other side for almost an inch, for extra latch room. Also check this hole carefully for alignment. If re-alignment is required, remove the drill bit [ necessary in the previous procedure, also ] then ream the hole with the 1 " hole-saw in the correct direction. When installing the deadbolt, be sure to tighten the mounting bolts evenly, and together, making sure there is no binding when tight. Keep the key in the cylinder, and keep trying it through this tightening procedure, to ensure free and smooth movement of the latch. Good alignment is critical !

Answer 2

Installing A Deadbolt

Answer 3

William's suggestion is on the ball. If your old set used a 2 3/8 back set there is a good chance that the back-set bore hole is not drilled out enough. Use a spade bit to drill deeper into the door. Also check that there is clearance above the back set when it is installed, the pivet arm on the deadbolt raises slightly when it is engaged. Clear this out with a sharp chisel. Make sure that the key way is sliding into the slot you will be able to tell because the srews will find their holes easily. Don't tighten the bolts all the way, just snug them enough so that you can turn the thumb latch, move the unit up, down, left or right until no resistance is felt then tighten the bolts. Make sure that the deadbolt is straight, use the Shlage label on the outside as a reference. Try it for ease of operation with the door open, now shut the door and try it. If you feel resistance there is a problem with the bore hole on the door jamb (frame). If this happens rub a pencil on the end of the bolt all around this will transfer lead on where it is hitting on the door jamb. Remove this area with a chisel and try locking the bolt. This should work for you. Good luck.

Answer 4

Replacing a deadbolt lock yourself is on the difficulty level of a first grade 10 piece puzzle. Go to home depot or Ace hardware, tell one of the sales associates if you can find one what you want to do, they will walk you to the proper isle, show you different styles of deadbolts. Pick one that looks like the one you are replacing. When you get home, follow the directions that comes with the new deadbolt. This should not take you more than 10 minutes. 5 minutes to read the directions three times, and 5 minutes to change the lock.

Answer 5

If You look on the back side of the thumb latch you`ll see an alignment bar that protrudes about an inch or so from the back of the plate. It has a dovetali profile that should slide into the outer side. If you look closley the outer has a piece of black rubber in it. The alignment bar should be inserted just on top of the rubber. You should feel slight resistance when inserted.

When this is accomplished, insert your through bolts and snug them. Throw the bolt several times. You may have to raise the tail of the bolt (move the thing around a little bit till it works freely)

Once it works freely tighten the bolts.

Answer 6

You might try reaming out the dead latch hole a little larger. The dead latch, might be a little too thick for the hole of the previous one. The upgraded locks back-set or dead latch is bigger in diameter. Am I making sense?