Storage door latch bolt stuck! Ouch

frederick w · 12-05-2011, 05:55 PM

My basement storage door ( small door just ahead of man door ) won't open as latch bolt on one side won't release.

The latch bolt is spring loaded in closed position. There's a 3/16 " space on side of door and the latch retaining screws are visable. If I could get a drill bit in there and drill the screw heads out. The holddown bracket for the latch bolt would just drop out.

Tried a # one screwdriver, can't turn screw, rusted. # 2 is too big. I can't think of any other way

HAY ! I could train my little grandson to crawl thru the upper pass thru storage ( it's only 9 " high) from the other side and releas the lock.

But he's only 12 months old.

Perry White · 12-05-2011, 06:03 PM

Just wait about three more years. He'll be 4.

frankdamp · 12-05-2011, 08:13 PM

Fortunately our sticking lock is the opposite way, it sticks open. Unfortunately it's the one for the electrical hook-up bay. I've sprayed silicone and WD40 and Liquid Wrench, to no avail.

A project this winter is to take to lock assembly off, figure out the problem and fix it permanently.

wa8yxm · 12-06-2011, 09:49 AM

IF that is a Tri-Mark or other latch like it drill through the guard plate behing the striker loop. Then you can simply use any small round tool (IE the drill bit) to depress the striker bolt and open the door.

Tri-Mark uses very inexpensive base metal bolts, they brake at the weakest point, which means the latch can not pull the bolt back in.. I have a machinest who carves new ones out of steel for me.. Much nicer.

ga traveler · 12-06-2011, 03:53 PM

I think you have a plastic latch that has broken. We changed dozens of these on Fleetwood products. You can work a small piece of metal into the crack at the end of the door and push the latch over to unlock it. There is a company in Fla. that makes metal replacements.

frederick w · 12-06-2011, 04:37 PM

THANKS

GA Traveler and everyone else.!

I made a small L-shaped tool ( per GA Travlers comments) and
moved the latch pin over just enough to pull the door open.
I also will rework all the latches so that this won't happen again.

Now I don't have to wait till my 1yr. old Grandson turns 10 so
he could crawl back thru their and work on it.

Here I was ready to buy a used Beaver so I could get some good
latches.

Thanks Guys