How do I open this door

[I_Am_Machine]

Our UPVC back Door has suddenly decided to not open. The key turns but the handle doesn't move s far as it should, I'm not convinced the key is fully unlocking. I've dismantled to this point



So doesn't seem to be any way of accessing the lock or bolt mechanism from here.
I have tried undoing the hinges so the whole door can come off; Two are free, the other two have captive screws that I can't access with the door shut...

I have tried operating the lock and handle from both sides!

Any thoughts? The door is due to be replaced soon so don't mind getting a little destructive as long as it can be made to last a little longer

[WrekinCrew]

As there's quite a bit of the cylinder exposed it should be easy to snap with some mole grips.

Google "snap euro cylinder".

[JimbobVFR]

You may not need to snap the cylinder to get it out TBH

If you're lucky and have an oscillating multitool with a narrow blade you may be able to cut the screw that holds it in, once the screw is cut you'll need to partly turn the key to remove it.

From experience it sounds like the gearbox internals have probably broken, the gears can often be the cheapest nastiest cast metal parts so removing the lock may not be as helpful as hoped.

[I_Am_Machine]

I think you may be right, lock is off and operating the cam manually isn't improving things

[JoshSm]

It's possibly just hot, expanded in the frame and binding. Try cooling it down.

I have one that has been doing similar when it gets warm enough & has sun on it for hours. Not fully jammed but binding and starts to touch the opposing frame when opening & closing.

[J6542]

Put the handle back on. Try and lift the weight of the door as you are operating it. Either by lifting the handle or by putting a bar under the sash. Lifting it as you operate the handle and work the key should work.

[NiceCupOfTea]

JoshSm said:

It's possibly just hot, expanded in the frame and binding. Try cooling it down.

I have one that has been doing similar when it gets warm enough & has sun on it for hours. Not fully jammed but binding and starts to touch the opposing frame when opening & closing.

This; our south facing patio doors wouldn't close until mid evening yesterday. Weirdly it was like it had sagged on the hinges as there was a gap at the top and a good 2mm at the bottom where it hit the frame - however there was zero play in the hinges and they didn't looked adjustable. Once they had cooled down in the evening they closed OK but meant my wife couldn't go out until I had got back from work!

[cliffords]

NiceCupOfTea said:

JoshSm said:

It's possibly just hot, expanded in the frame and binding. Try cooling it down.

I have one that has been doing similar when it gets warm enough & has sun on it for hours. Not fully jammed but binding and starts to touch the opposing frame when opening & closing.

This; our south facing patio doors wouldn't close until mid evening yesterday. Weirdly it was like it had sagged on the hinges as there was a gap at the top and a good 2mm at the bottom where it hit the frame - however there was zero play in the hinges and they didn't looked adjustable. Once they had cooled down in the evening they closed OK but meant my wife couldn't go out until I had got back from work!

Surely she needs to provide you with a meal anyway, before she would be allowed to go put.

[TonyRPH]

I_Am_Machine said:

I think you may be right, lock is off and operating the cam manually isn't improving things

If there's little to no friction when lifting or lowering the handle, then the gears have almost certainly stripped.

The same thing happened to me a few years back, although I was fortunate that it happened with the door open.

I stripped the mechanism and found the gears were stripped.

I've no idea how you would open the door in your situation though!

I guess you could possibly try cutting a piece of the frame out around the lock area to see if you could force the latch mechanism to release manually.

[Skyedriver]

Worst case scenario, angle grinder and a very thin (1mm) blade and go around slicing the various bolts where they go into the frame.
Been there, done that with a more simple lock into a frame.

[InitialDave]

When I had this, I had to cut the door around the lock/handle to access the metal strip that actuates the latches up its length and manually move it with pliers.

[J6542]

Skyedriver said:

Worst case scenario, angle grinder and a very thin (1mm) blade and go around slicing the various bolts where they go into the frame.
Been there, done that with a more simple lock into a frame.

That won’t work on a upvc door, maybe on a composite but I would have a fire extinguisher near

[NiceCupOfTea]

cliffords said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

JoshSm said:

It's possibly just hot, expanded in the frame and binding. Try cooling it down.

I have one that has been doing similar when it gets warm enough & has sun on it for hours. Not fully jammed but binding and starts to touch the opposing frame when opening & closing.

This; our south facing patio doors wouldn't close until mid evening yesterday. Weirdly it was like it had sagged on the hinges as there was a gap at the top and a good 2mm at the bottom where it hit the frame - however there was zero play in the hinges and they didn't looked adjustable. Once they had cooled down in the evening they closed OK but meant my wife couldn't go out until I had got back from work!

Surely she needs to provide you with a meal anyway, before she would be allowed to go put.

Not to worry, the cook hadn't left for the day so I had them rustle something up and the butler brought it out to me on the verandah.

[V8 Animal]

Pin hinges?

[hidetheelephants]

JoshSm said:

It's possibly just hot, expanded in the frame and binding. Try cooling it down.

I have one that has been doing similar when it gets warm enough & has sun on it for hours. Not fully jammed but binding and starts to touch the opposing frame when opening & closing.

Had this happen to me, hot sunny day and the door decided to have a sulk. After it cooled down and normal service resumed fiddling with the hinge adjustment and the strike plate seemed to avert a recurrence.