French doors not locking properly

[barca99]

Morning all, after a little help here!

I installed some French doors and all went well or so I thought until I tried locking the doors, one side locks no problem but the other doesnt - it WILL lock however the key will not rotate enough to take the key out so the key has to stay in the door.

It all locks fine when the doors are open.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[JohnD]

photos please

 

[barca99]

photos please

Hi JohnD,

At work at the moment, will upload some later when finished.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Presumably if you lock the door while it is open you can turn the key sufficiently? If so then almost certainly a slight alignment problem. The key doesn't do a huge amount externally- most of the locking is out of sight. Either the main latches or (more likely from the sound of it) the hole where the lock tongue engages will be slightly out of line, 5 minute job with a screwdriver usually

 

[barca99]

Presumably if you lock the door while it is open you can turn the key sufficiently? If so then almost certainly a slight alignment problem. The key doesn't do a huge amount externally- most of the locking is out of sight. Either the main latches or (more likely from the sound of it) the hole where the lock tongue engages will be slightly out of line, 5 minute job with a screwdriver usually

Thanks for that oldbutnotdead. Yes no problem at all, locks and can take the key out normally.

I was thinking, would tightening the frame screws a little too tightly maybe cause it?

I'll post some pics as soon as I am abe to.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Yes overtightening the frame screws could deform the frame enough to cause resistance to the locking mech. Does the handle go up all the way easily when you lock the door (with it closed), Have you tried lifting the door up by the handle shaft while you're turning the key? And have you had a look at the frame for any scuffs or wear on the edges of the holes where the locks engage with the frame? Or (simple) have you measured how far out from the frame the lock tongue protrudes, is there enough of a hole behind the locking bar on the frame for it to come out all the way? Has the frame behind the bar been cut away enough?

 

[barca99]

Yes overtightening the frame screws could deform the frame enough to cause resistance to the locking mech. Does the handle go up all the way easily when you lock the door (with it closed), Have you tried lifting the door up by the handle shaft while you're turning the key? And have you had a look at the frame for any scuffs or wear on the edges of the holes where the locks engage with the frame? Or (simple) have you measured how far out from the frame the lock tongue protrudes, is there enough of a hole behind the locking bar on the frame for it to come out all the way? Has the frame behind the bar been cut away enough?

Thanks again for the detailed reply, much appreciated oldbutnotdead.

I am pleased to say I have managed sort this issue out alrhough I couldnt tell you how to be honest as I did quite a few things - loosened the frame screws and had a play about with the flag hinges in particular these screws