Window handle not closing flush & can i buy one of the metal plate things?

chezybezy

hi,
two of my windows never quite shut so the handles were flush / parked correctly (horizontally straight). i switched the handles around to less used windows and they feel less loose but i am still left with the not shut handle position problem.

one seems to have been fixed with WD40 - my partner just decided enough was enough and sprayed everything that was metal (im still unsure how this even fixed the issue but ill take it!).

The other, my best guess, i think i need to bend / replace the little metal catch on the bottom (see pics) as there is scraping. I think the latch bar thing seats correctly at the top of the frame but not the bottom.

Can i just unscrew the plate thing (any idea what it is called?), try bend it level and try re-screw it in place?
can i get a replacement if it snaps?
suggestions for removing the stripped screw(s) - not done by me but have just checked and cant get any grip?
can i just replace the screws with any that i have that fit?

1st pic shows its the right metal plate thing, the left is fine.
2nd shows its not quite flush and bent.
3rd shows that its catching on the metal, this is why i think this is the reason for the handle problem.
4th & 5th show the handle 'alignment' - oddly the window does shut.
P.S. it needs a clean! my partner would kill me for posting pics without cleaning first.:eek:

SatanicHare

does the handle close fully when the window is open

Carrot007

I get this on one of my windows. keep meaning to look at it. You can force the handle but it does not go where it should and the window can often be pushed open. Just need things altered to line up properly. Fortunatly on mine the top catches are now catching right, just the middle ones left to fix!

Causes a draft too when things don't click right!

chezybezy

SatanicHare wrote: »

does the handle close fully when the window is open

not fully, but it looks like it closes a lot more though.

chezybezy

Carrot007 wrote: »

I get this on one of my windows. keep meaning to look at it. You can force the handle but it does not go where it should and the window can often be pushed open. Just need things altered to line up properly. Fortunatly on mine the top catches are now catching right, just the middle ones left to fix!

Causes a draft too when things don't click right!

thankfully i cant push mine open, if i get it correct however i keep thinking i am going to break something with my handle as i swear it shouldn't feel like that closing and worry will snap one of these days

SatanicHare

there are metal rods that come out the top and bottom of the window when you push the handle down, these locate into the metal plates in your photo. With the window open push the handle down and either look or feel for the rods and spray them liberally with WD40 and try working the handle until it travels fully. If that works then oil or grease the rods to prevent them seizing again

chezybezy

SatanicHare wrote: »

there are metal rods that come out the top and bottom of the window when you push the handle down, these locate into the metal plates in your photo. With the window open push the handle down and either look or feel for the rods and spray them liberally with WD40 and try working the handle until it travels fully. If that works then oil or grease the rods to prevent them seizing again

Thanks, no improvement, if i tug (harder than i would like) i can get the handle to straighten up when open, but it does feel loose. I did notice that the bottom rod bit protrudes less than the top.

I've had another look (my neighbours must be thinking i'm nuts) and i'm wondering if the bottom plate thing (in the photo) is not far enough forward. it would explain why it bends too. when i look (its hard to tell for sure) it looks like the rod isn't seating correctly in its hole. i did try pulling the window closed (both sides open so this allowed me to put pressure on the frame) but that didn't seem to move it enough either. of course i could be looking at this all backwards.

SatanicHare

If it's not working properly when the window is open then moving the keeper ( the square metal bit in your photo) won't make any difference. It may be time to call a D/G repair person

chezybezy

SatanicHare wrote: »

If it's not working properly when the window is open then moving the keeper ( the square metal bit in your photo) won't make any difference. It may be time to call a D/G repair person

oh thats a shame, but i understand thank you.
i grabbed some pics of it (clean!) showing it 'closed' when open, and the keeper alignment, but from the sounds of it showing you this will not help.
thanks again for all of your help, every one of you.