Fixing Internal Door Handles

[andoni.oconchubhair]

Hi all,

I'm sure this question is answered in many places on the web, I just can't find any of them!

I'm in my new flat and both internal doors (small flat) have handles that are loose. Never one to shirk a DIY challenge I have had a look at them but there does not seem to be any way to take them off! All that's protruding is the threaded end of what appears to be a hollow screw!

So how do I take these handles off?

Thanks in advance for any help, pointers, websites, etc.

Andoni.

[Stuart]

Can you post a picture somewhere like photobucket or photodump . ?

Stuart

[Andy McKenzie]

It would seem likely that the 'threaded end of a hollow screw' is actually a grub screw with an 'Allen Key' head. So you need to find the right size 'Allen Key', sets of different sizes are not usually expensive.

Andy

[chris_doran]

What do you mean by "loose"? Does it pull off in your hand, or just rattle?

If you peer down the "hollow screw" with torch and magnifying glass, is the inside hexagonal and does the outside have a screw thread? Pressing a bit of plasticine against the end may be an easier way to reveal the hex. If so, you have a "Allen" "grub screw". If you're lucky your predecessor may have left an "Allen key" to tighten it up -- the little L-shaped bar you threw away last week because you didn't know what it was. You can buy them as sets in DIY stores, maybe individually, but a set saves going back when you guess the size wrong (assuming you can't take the knob with you). They come in both inch and metric sizes, so guess the age of the doorknob. You can also get Allen bits for the screwdrivers that take bullet-like bits.

If it doesn't have a hex hole of thread, it may just be a pin, which you can't tighten, in which case sorry for the red herring.

Chris

[andoni.oconchubhair]

Hi all,

I'm sure it's that. I am at work at the moment so I can't check but I remember thinking it was quite a wide screw. I did also notice that it was hollow. I have a set of Allen keys at home so I will try them. Not sure if mine are metric or imperial.

Either way I will post again tomorrow (with photos if necessary) to let you know how I got on.

Thanks aga> [e-mail]-> > Hi all,

[andoni.oconchubhair]

Thank you all for your help with this. Last night I went home and sure enough the allen key fitted perfectly. The rattle was being caused by the circular metal cap around the contact point between the handle and the door being loose. a good push and this clicked onto the plastic retainer which is screwed onto the door. I am sure this would not have moved at all though if I had not first loosened the screws.

Anyway, I now have doorhandles that fit/work perfectly!!

Ta. Andoni.

[e-mail]-> Hi all,