Bathroom latch problem

Clairabella

Once again guys, I need some help:o

Hopefully there is a locksmith or someone who knows about the inside gubbins of latches. I bought a new latch, managed to dig out the hole in the door for it but then discovered that the catch was facing the wrong way. A quick google showed that it was simple to open up the latch and twist it round. Right, hmm, not so simple after all. A spring bit has pinged off and I cannot work out where it should be replaced. I can't even see what it's for but I'm afraid that if I leave it out I might end up like the 'old lady locked in the lavatory'!:D Is there any kind soul who can advise please?

keith969

I'd hazard a guess that the circular portion of the spring goes on one of the lugs in the base, but which one, and what the ends rest against, is hard to tell. Is there another lug or similar on the upper part of the case that you've removed? The fact that it 'pinged' when you took the case apart indicates the spring was under tension, which might give a clue. If you put the handle/lock spindles in and turn them, do they return as expected?

Clairabella

No, there are no lugs in the upper part of the case. I've tried putting the spring on the other lugs but I can't seem to make sense of what it is for.

societys_child

Looks like the spring should hold the the lock-bolt in the locked or unlocked position as necessary, otherwise it looks like the bolt would be free to slide about. For example when the door was pulled shut, is it possible the bolt could be free to slide and lock you out. If you were inside, not a problem as you could unlock it from inside.

I'd need to be "hands on " to work it out.

Edit: could it be that the spring should be fitted so it presses against the part that turns when locking/ unlocking? (to cause friction)

Another edit: In the first pic the cam was in the wrong position. So with the cam in the correct position in the second pic, can you fit the spring so it presses against the cam somehow? This would give a positive lock/ unlock action.

Clairabella

Thanks. I've been fiddling for hours but getting nowhere. Now I know what its for I might, just might, manage to fix it. Give me another few hours.:rotfl:

societys_child

Remember, it will need to be fitted "under tension". Mind your fingers . . .

societys_child

I edited my post again after you'd posted, did you see the edit? I'll post it again:

"In the first pic the cam was in the wrong position. So with the cam in the correct position in the second pic, can you fit the spring so it presses against the cam somehow? This would give a positive lock/ unlock action."

Clairabella

No, I hadn't seen your edit but now I know what you mean about 'mind your fingers':eek: Good job I'm wearing specs too, it keeps pinging off. I think I'm getting nearer, I just can't hold it in position and get the case back together. It wasn't like this on YouTube:mad:

Clairabella

SUCCESS!!:T:T

Thank you both so much for your help. :beer: Where would I be without this forum?

Geoff1963

Just too late.
Answer at the end . . .

There are two independent mechanisms :
1) A standard door handle latch, which is the wedge-shaped bolt ; bottom of upper picture, lower right of bottom picture
2) A bathroom-specifc locking latch, which is the square-shaped slotted bolt ; top of upper picture, top left of bottom picture.

It looks as though the mechanism is mounted face-on to the door, rather than recessed ; so failing everything else, a screwdriver could be used to remove it. Leave one obviously in the bathroom as an emergency.

(1) is operated by a big handle on either side.
(2) is operated by a big handle on the inside ; but there might be some small pin on the outside, for emergencies, which can be turned by a coin.

(1) has 2 coil springs : one ( in the corner ) to put the handle back into its rest position, and one to push the wedge bolt into place. That means the spring belongs to the other mechanism.

For (2), as societys child says, something needs to stop the bolt moving freely. Apart from anything else, it could slide across as the door is slammed shut, damaging something. Ideally it should force the handle / bolt to either the open or shut position.

The Answer =

From the bottom picture, turn the spring over, slide it onto the spike in the middle of the slotted square bolt, then imagining its two ( unequal length ) arms to be the hands of a clock, set it to about 10 past 12. The short end presses against the slotted retainer of the "normal" mechanism, while the long end presses against the "nose" of the "bathroom" square key. The "bathroom" latch should then try to stay at either end, not in the middle.

Good luck Jim.

Clairabella

Thanks Geoff1963. Now I'm not sure if I did actually place it as you describe:(. It does seem to work in that the lock is now sort of springy to move in and out and doesn't just fall out. The question is, do I risk taking it apart to check or do I leave as is and hope it's correct.:rotfl: