Multipoint front door lock getting jammed

itm2

The multipoint lock on our front door is getting jammed - i.e. sometimes we cannot unlock it. It's controlled by a 12 year old Yale Keyfree system. It will lock when we pull up the handle, but we're often unable to pull down the handle to unlock it without a great deal of difficulty - it seems to get jammed.
Any hints and tips for how to diagnose/fix this?

JohnB47

My front door started giving problems a year or two ago. I used silicone spray then and use it yearly now to keep things moving.

With the door open, spray silicon in and around all moving parts as you move the handle up and down. Spray into the lock and all those little projecting parts that move in and out when you work the handle.

Don't expect perfect results immediately, the silicone can take a while to track along surfaces. You might find it takes a day to feel improved.

Marksfish

We had to have a new multi lock assembly fitted to the door, but our circumstances were different to yours, the lock barrel kept jamming. After replacement, we were told to use silicone spray annually to keep it free.

jonnydeppiwish!

Does the door itself need adjusting? Does it face the sun?

35har1old

Marksfish said:

We had to have a new multi lock assembly fitted to the door, but our circumstances were different to yours, the lock barrel kept jamming. After replacement, we were told to use silicone spray annually to keep it free.

If it was only the barrel you didn't need to change the whole strip 
I had the same issue called a locksmith who instructed me to remove the whole assembly and bring it to him.
The removal of the lock housing requires a special tool but he had it completed within minutes 
I refitted the assembly 

Kiran

It's probably either the locking points which need adjusting (allen key on the frame) or the door has dropped (allen key on the hinges to raise the door). Worst case is likely that it needs a new gearbox, remove the cover strip in the door, get the reference number off the old gearbox and order a replacement and swap. I'd bet its option 1 or 2 though and they are free/very cheap to try first

itm2

Thanks for all the feedback. It turns out that it just needed a good dose of WD40 - it is now completely back to normal, and we can even push it closed (which was never possible before). What we thought was some kind of misalignment problem was actually just a lubrication issue it seems.

BarelySentientAI

itm2 said:

 It turns out that it just needed a good dose of WD40 - actually just a lubrication issue it seems.

Just be aware that WD40 isn't a lubricant so the resolution might not last long.

itm2

BarelySentientAI said:

itm2 said:

 It turns out that it just needed a good dose of WD40 - actually just a lubrication issue it seems.

Just be aware that WD40 isn't a lubricant so the resolution might not last long.

What would the long term resolution be?

BarelySentientAI

itm2 said:

BarelySentientAI said:

itm2 said:

 It turns out that it just needed a good dose of WD40 - actually just a lubrication issue it seems.

Just be aware that WD40 isn't a lubricant so the resolution might not last long.

What would the long term resolution be?

Silicone spray perhaps?  Which, confusingly, you can get under the "WD40 Specialist" brand amongst many many others.

JohnB47

itm2 said:

BarelySentientAI said:

itm2 said:

 It turns out that it just needed a good dose of WD40 - actually just a lubrication issue it seems.

Just be aware that WD40 isn't a lubricant so the resolution might not last long.

What would the long term resolution be?

Silicone spray, as suggested, applied yearly. Something like this:

https://www.toolstation.com/action-can-sp-90-silicone-lubricant/p34151

I've never found WD40 useful for anything.