5-lever mortice lock occasionally jams

Apr 19, 2026 Last reply: 1 month ago 27 Replies

And fitting a new lock that's slightly larger or doesn't have the keyhole in quite the right place? I've done that, and I'd expect it to be a lot more work than dismantling the lock and cleaning it, which is likely to fix the problem. The older the lock, the smaller the chance of getting an exact replacement. Euro-cylinder, yes, but 5-lever, no.

This is a domestic environment. I've had a moderately-priced 5-lever locked and unlocked at least once a day on nearly all days for the last forty years, and there is no sign of hesitation or need to wiggle the key. I have had it apart and cleaned and lubricated it in that time, but only once.

The lock on our inner frint door (well, the door catch) stopped holding the door shut.

Pretty sure it's original, so 120 years old.

Trying to get one that didn't involve carpentry (nonstandard setback, different holes) would have been a pain. Solved it by shimming the worn part!

I recently have taken a lock apart and found one of the springs has slipped ... I recently took a lock apart and found one of the springs had slipped. ...Make up your mind...

That's my problem! I have a 7-lever Chubb on my front door which is still working after 40 years, except for one key which seemed to have worn more that the others. I can't find any replacement that will fit. All of the 5-levers are different in outline and have the key hole in a quite different place.

Chasing out the door didn't seem much of a job back then, but I've not quite got round to filling/recutting now!

nib

I don't think it was true either. I have had a 5-lever Chubb mortice lock on my front door for nearly 50 years. About 30 years ago my wife discovered that her keys which were in her pocket when she went out were no longer in her pocket when she got back home. I wasn't happy with having keys somewhere out there, so I took the mortice lock from the door and took it to a locksmith where they opened it, took the existing lever set out, put a different lever set in and reassembled the case, then gave me two keys that would work the new lever set. It was surprisingly cheap. I went home, put the mortice lock back in the door and it has worked with the replacement keys ever since.

My local locksmith does something similar

He has a massive tray set out like a print typesetters tray which is full of various levers so he can make up any combination you like

I imagine there must be some source of levers in the trade as I doubt if they all came from dismantled locks

He will also sell you a set of locks which all have the same key

He could just rearrange the existing levers and make keys to fit.

Actually ... they wouldnt

Locks often have to be opened up so that you can turn the latch/bolt bit around - depending on which way the door is going to open

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