Jammed shootbolt

[scrumpyjack]

One of the shootbolts in my upstairs d/g window is jammed and the handle wont work properly.
The window is slightly open which is a nuisance but I dare not shut it in case it wont open again.
What's the most likely cause and the easiest fix.
It's hinged at the top. How do I get at the mechanism to check it out?

 

[Gazman16]

Gear box has most likely failed.
To take it out you need to remove the handles (2 screws, 1 may be hidden behind a clip in cap). Then remove the screw holding the locking mechs in place (along the bottom of the window and a few up the sides).

Take photos of the gearbox and look for any names and codes stamped on it. Then google those codes, If that fails email these guys with the pics and codes http://www.northwesthardware.co.uk/contact.php

 

[scrumpyjack]

Gear box has most likely failed.
To take it out you need to remove the handles (2 screws, 1 may be hidden behind a clip in cap). Then remove the screw holding the locking mechs in place (along the bottom of the window and a few up the sides).

Take photos of the gearbox and look for any names and codes stamped on it. Then google those codes, If that fails email these guys with the pics and codes http://www.northwesthardware.co.uk/contact.php[/QUOTE]

Thank you Gazman
It's a first floor window and having faffed about with it and consulted my landlord I have admitted defeat and called a repair company in...tomorrow in fact...your diagnosis looks spot on though.

 

[scrumpyjack]

Gear box has most likely failed.
To take it out you need to remove the handles (2 screws, 1 may be hidden behind a clip in cap). Then remove the screw holding the locking mechs in place (along the bottom of the window and a few up the sides).

Take photos of the gearbox and look for any names and codes stamped on it. Then google those codes, If that fails email these guys with the pics and codes http://www.northwesthardware.co.uk/contact.php[/QUOTE]

Thank you Gazman
It's a first floor window and having faffed about with it and consulted my landlord I have admitted defeat and called a repair company in...tomorrow in fact...your diagnosis looks spot on though.

And there's more-- I called a shower called the ABLE GROUP from the yellow pages who were helpful but their first guy couldn't do 1st floor windows??.
So they booked me in with someone else for a 2-4pm visit. I took the afternoon off with no pay and the bugger didn't show up or call.
When I rang the ABLE GROUP they tried to call him 4 times and said he must be driving or on another job. When I expressed my unhappiness at having wasted my time and money I was told 'he does have other jobs to do'
Needless to say I cancelled them.
Just got to go and gaffa the gaps then I will be back on later to get further help for my now diy project

 

[Gazman16]

It is possible to do it by hanging out of the window awkwardly.

Very awkwardly

 

[Gazman16]

Oh and just make a few little notes when you go for it.
Handle open, Shoot bolts retracted, and the the setting (open/closed) of the gearbox.

Nothing worse than getting it all together and realizing it locks when you open the handle and you have to start again.

 

[scrumpyjack]

Oh and just make a few little notes when you go for it.
Handle open, Shoot bolts retracted, and the the setting (open/closed) of the gearbox.

Nothing worse than getting it all together and realizing it locks when you open the handle and you have to start again.

Hi
The way this is going I suspect I will be hanging out of the window supported by a rope round my neck Ha Ha
Seriously though...I can't see any screws under the window,only one at each end which seem to hold the corner piece in place where the shootbolt comes through, unless there are some hidden by the sliding bit which seems to be attached to the shoot bolts somehow. So with a bit of luck I'm hoping they hold the mechanism in place. Oh dear,Friday 13th tomorrow..maybe a lucky one for me. Thanks for the tip about getting it all set up right

 

[crank39]

If all your windows were fitted at the same time have a look at a downstairs window and take some photos and post them here and I/we will ID the mech for you

 

[scrumpyjack]

If all your windows were fitted at the same time have a look at a downstairs window and take some photos and post them here and I/we will ID the mech for you

Having done some googling and youtube I believe it's a saracen shoot bolt gearbox and mechanism. Anyone know how to remove it?

 

[crank39]

The top 3 are the most commonly found

http://www.dgsupplyline.co.uk/window-hardware/shootbolt-gearboxes/shootbolt-gearboxes/

But they can have shoot bolt extensions like this

http://www.dgsupplyline.co.uk/windo...bi-saracen-shootbolt-extensions-serrated.html

Or aluminium rods like this, these are usually pushed through the pvc section so are hidden between the gearbox and the edge of the sash where they pop out

http://www.dgsupplyline.co.uk/windo...ons/saracen-shootbolt-extensions-clip-in.html

And

http://www.dgsupplyline.co.uk/windo...ns/saracen-shootbolt-extensions-threaded.html

 

[scrumpyjack]

The top 3 are the most commonly found

http://www.dgsupplyline.co.uk/window-hardware/shootbolt-gearboxes/shootbolt-gearboxes/

But they can have shoot bolt extensions like this

http://www.dgsupplyline.co.uk/windo...bi-saracen-shootbolt-extensions-serrated.html

Or aluminium rods like this, these are usually pushed through the pvc section so are hidden between the gearbox and the edge of the sash where they pop out

http://www.dgsupplyline.co.uk/windo...ons/saracen-shootbolt-extensions-clip-in.html

And

http://www.dgsupplyline.co.uk/windo...en-shootbolt-extensions-threaded.html[/QUOTE]

Thanks for that

I think mine are the clip in or screw in extension shoot bolts. But my problem is getting clear instructions on how to remove and replace them without damaging the window.

 

[scrumpyjack]

Gearbox totally knackered, only works one half. Had hassle getting to the shoot bolts but now have the faulty one out..it was disconnected/broken at the lock.The good one is holding the window shut but I'm blowed if I can see how the box and rod comes out. I undid the screws and removed the handle (sounds like the Bernard Cribbins song) but nothing looks like it's coming loose. I thought the whole assembly would come out!
I have a window man now who suggests fitting an espagnolette and chucking the rods etc.
Any ideas anyone?

 

[crank39]

If you've taken the handle off then the only thing that should be holding it now is the second shoot bolt, if its the clip in type then from memory you need to unscrew it from the end, its a threaded rod into an aluminium tube, undo it till it stops then one more turn should unclip it from the gearbox, bread and butter stuff for a service engineer but for a diy bod I can imagine it feels like the krypton factor

As for the espag then its your call, so long as it locks the sash then all's good, you will need frame keeps for this though because the espag will have mushrooms on it maybe even keeps for the shoot bolt extensions if you fit them too?

 

[scrumpyjack]

If you've taken the handle off then the only thing that should be holding it now is the second shoot bolt, if its the clip in type then from memory you need to unscrew it from the end, its a threaded rod into an aluminium tube, undo it till it stops then one more turn should unclip it from the gearbox, bread and butter stuff for a service engineer but for a diy bod I can imagine it feels like the krypton factor

As for the espag then its your call, so long as it locks the sash then all's good, you will need frame keeps for this though because the espag will have mushrooms on it maybe even keeps for the shoot bolt extensions if you fit them too?

The one rod I removed is threaded all the way and it's held and adjusted by screwing it into a section of the moulding which slides. As it was loose I don't know how it attached to the lock,and I haven't worked out how the remaining rod and lock come out......I think,probably, the rod screws into the moulding slider which in turn is fixed to or moved by the lock. Seems logical but even my man was struggling...it's a pretty old Anglian window.
From looking at loadsa pics I think the existing box is a swish shootbolt gearbox with a U shaped catch...and they are discontinued now!!

 

[crank39]

http://www.dgsupplyline.co.uk/windo...s/swish-shootbolt-gearbox-u-shaped-catch.html

If this is it then I think you'll be fitting an espag