Replacing just garage door lock barrel - feasible?

MrsBartolozzi

We have one of those "up and over" type garage doors with the lock built into the handle and have just lost the one and only key.
Ideally I'd just be replacing the barrel, but have no idea whether this is possible (the door is closed and locked) without disassembling the door.
I'd rather avoid an insurance claim as replacement parts seem to be relatively cheap, but I have no idea of how to go about either doing the job or finding out how to do the job. (the handle says Henderson on it, but is quite old and doesn't look exactly like any of those I've seen on google)
All ideas welcome, thanks.

HappyMJ

I'd just replace the handle. Get in the garage it can be replaced from the inside. You'll need a screwdriver and you will possibly need to cut the spindle down to size.

torbrex

If you are willing to spend just a little bit more, any professional locksmith could do the job quite easily for you with minimal disruption.

ormus

you can still buy henderson locks and handles for nearly all models.
about 10-20 quid.
easy to replace.

ie
http://www.garage-door-spares.co.uk/henderson-handle.htm

ps,
your insurance excess will be far more than such a cheap job.

MrsBartolozzi

The problem I have is I don't know which model I need. I can see that there are lots of different sizes of various parts and it's unlikely that I will guess the right one.
And I can't, at the moment, get into the garage. I reckon I'll probably have to break the lock/barrel/ something to get in, but then I have an insecure garage until I get the right replacement.

Would a locksmith really be able to replace the lock at the same time (garage full of stuff that I have no other space for and could be stolen easily)?

ormus

there were only a few models made over the yrs. (6 maybe). it should be fairly easy to get the correct one.
the pre 1992 one (alloy handle) was very popular.
can you not leave the car parked against the garage door for a few days until the repair is completed?

torbrex

MrsBartolozzi wrote: »

The problem I have is I don't know which model I need. I can see that there are lots of different sizes of various parts and it's unlikely that I will guess the right one.
And I can't, at the moment, get into the garage. I reckon I'll probably have to break the lock/barrel/ something to get in, but then I have an insecure garage until I get the right replacement.

Would a locksmith really be able to replace the lock at the same time (garage full of stuff that I have no other space for and could be stolen easily)?

I have worked with locksmiths before in a job that I did and some were good and some not but if you go for a non-destruct one, he will give you an estimate and do the work in one visit to make sure that your garage is secure.
A national company such as Dyno-secure have operators all over but any local company if registered will do the job.

ormus

timpsons locksmiths will charge about 100-150 quid to replace it.

MrsBartolozzi

ormus wrote: »

there were only a few models made over the yrs. (6 maybe). it should be fairly easy to get the correct one.
the pre 1992 one (alloy handle) was very popular.
can you not leave the car parked against the garage door for a few days until the repair is completed?

I suppose that is an option. I could use the (somewhat crappy) bus service for a few days.
Locksmith will cost more than my excess, so it looks like I am fixing it myself then.
Ok, so I need to break the lock to get in so I can see what model handle I have. How do I do this without wrecking things? Do I use a screwdriver on the lock? (sorry B&E not one of my life skills;)).

ormus

hammer an old screwdriver into the lock and then turn the driver with a pair of plumbers grips.
or hacksaw thorough the handle/lock assembly.

ormus

you can also open a door by using the old wire clothes hanger trick.
open it up make a hook at one end. slide it under the door, and catch the wires that actuate the lockingbolts.
you can just see the wires in the above piccy. just like my door.
pull down and you should release the lockingbolts.

you can also open the gap tween the frame and door with a pry bar, near the bolts.
just enough to pull/slip each bolt out of its bolthole.


changing the lock from inside is a doddle.