Dysfunctional vintage doorknobs

Bonnie H
by Bonnie H
My home is on the Historic Registry with several inside doors with original hardware. One of the bathroom doorknobs sticks or it turns forever one direction then the opposite direction until finally it "catches" and opens. I'd like to keep the 100 year old original hardware. Any suggestions for repairs would be appreciated.
  3 answers
  • You are going to have to pull it & see what the issue might be, it could be as simple as reallinging / tightining a screw or you might have to find a replacment piece like a shaft or spring In the future, when one starts going a little hinky, a quick check, cleaning & spritz of graphite powder can help prevent any issues
  • lots of times the issue with those older door lock sets is the handle/knob not being properly fastened to the square rod that has threads on it. As you turn the knob it screws itself on and off until it eventually turns the hardware within the door itself. If you cannot tighten the knob using the screw on the handle, you may need to replace the lock set within the door. Here is one site that sells the hardware most likely found in you door. http://www.directdoorhardware.com/Antique_Hardware.htm
  • David Ogden David Ogden on Feb 08, 2015
    This happens with time the wood swells with the conditions of the air sometimes a file will do. File the openings were the latch goes into the door jam make it a little wider this might work. Also take apart the handle assembly and apply wd40 it might help
    • DianaB DianaB on Nov 16, 2015
      @David Ogden Don't believe the latch is the problem; it is the doorknob spinning on its square peg.